On January 8th, Bank 1st of West Union presented a check for $2,000 to the St. Lucas Historical Society. Jim Moss, representing the board of directors of Bank 1st, stated, “This donation is in honor of the late Mark Mihm, a long-time board member of Bank 1st and resident of St. Lucas. This donation represents the Bank’s philosophy of giving back to the community. Bank 1st maintains a branch bank in St. Lucas.”

Clair Blong, representing the St. Lucas Historical Society, expressed the heartfelt thanks and appreciation of the Society for this generous donation for the upgrading of the electrical wiring and the installation of LED lighting in the exhibit and study rooms in the German American Museum. This work will help update the Museum’s electrical system and lighting to current needs and standards.

Clair stated, “The support of Bank 1st and its predecessor, First National Bank, have been critical in the development and growth of the Museum and its activities.  Bank 1st was there at the crucial times when we needed support in establishing the Society, in restoring the Museum building, in publishing the Newsletter and, most recently, in creating our internet website. Our continued thanks to Bank 1st for supporting these critical community cultural needs.”

The school building, the home of the former St. Luke Grade and High School and later the St. Luke and St. John Grade School, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 2005.  This large brick school building was constructed in ten months in 1911. This very handsome and architecturally significant building is now the home for the German American Museum, Library and Family History Center.

The St. Lucas Historical Society, a 15 year-old non-profit charitable organization, supports the German American Museum. The Museum’s goals are: preserving the past, celebrating the present, and embracing the future.  The Museum has a growing collection of local historical artifacts, documents and photos; a rapidly expanding collection of German and American historical materials; and an extensive collection of genealogical histories of local families. 

The Museum exhibits focus on eight key themes: the Native American historical presence; why Europeans came to this area: the role of the church and religion in establishing the community; the importance of education and school; the critical roles of agriculture and industrial arts in the development and growth of the community; the role of social organizations; the role of sports in shaping community identity; and the role of military service and education in integrating the community into the larger region and nation. The German American Museum is a member of the Iowa Museum Association and the Society for German American Studies. 

Marion Hahnfeldt, a journalist from Hanover, Germany, toured the Museum in October 2017 to learn and write about the German heritage in the community and the Museum. At the close of her visit, she commented, “The Museum represents an endeavor that is of, by, and for the people, truly a community effort.”

Visit the Museum website, “stlucasmuseum.org” to learn about the Museum, current and past events, Museum projects, new exhibits, newsletters, history, contact information and ways to volunteer and donate.