St. Lucas Historical Society

Volunteer Iowa - St. Lucas Historical Society

The Society is a team of active participants from the community and across the Nation who are dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the historic school building, the continued growth and development of the German American Museum, Library and Family History Center.

On behalf of the Society officers, we express our heartfelt appreciation for your kind consideration of making a contribution to the Society. 

Your donation will be used to help strengthen the German American Museum, Library and Family History Center. These cultural resources are especially valued and useful to the community and larger region.

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St. Lucas Historical Society Founding Members

St. Lucas Historical Society Founding Members

  • Andrew Blong, Las Vegas, NV
  • Clair Blong, Ph.D., Fort Atkinson, IA
  • Glenn Blong, Marco Island, FL
  • Matthew Blong, Marco Island, FL
  • Dennis Boyer, St. Lucas, IA
  • Elaine Burke, Lisbon, IA
  • Mel & Jeanette Dietzenbach, Decorah, IA
  • Cy & Judy Kuennen, Phoenix, AZ
  • Dan & Kathy Kuennen, Waucoma, IA
  • Ken Kuennen, Decorah, IA
  • Louis & Bette Kuennen, Libby, MT
  • Samuel & Theresa Kuennen, Sparks, NV
  • Wilfred Kuennen, West Union, IA
  • John & Jennifer Livingston, Studio City, CA
  • Mona Lorimer, Fayetteville, AK
  • DeVere & Virginia Manderfield, St. Lucas, IA
  • John & Diane, Ed.D., McCarty, Cedar Falls, IA
  • Jim & Joyce, Moss, Lansing, IA
  • Carl & Rosemary Most, Rochester, MN
  • Markus Most, Berwyn Heights, MD
  • Carroll & Jennifer Nikkel, Maxwell, IA
  • Dee Jay Orthaus, Decorah, IA
  • Richard & Phyllis Orthaus, New Hampton, IA
  • Mary Jo Pennington, Florence, OR
  • William Regnery, Boca Grande, FL
  • Joyce Schaufenbuel, Colorado Springs, CO
  • Dean & Marie Schneberger, Calmer, IA
  • Jerome Smith, M.D., Fort Collins, CO
  • Robert Smith, Ph.D., Hickory, NC
  • Leander Stammeyer, West Union, IA 
  • John & Joann Svendsen, St. Lucas, IA
  • David Winter, Chicago, IL

The German-American Village of St. Lucas, Iowa

A paper for presentation at the Society for German-American Studies 28th annual Symposium in New Ulm, Minnesota on April 23-24, 2004. This paper tells the story of how St. Lucas came to be, and it surveys this German-American community over the past 150 years. The survey highlights some key topics for gaining an appreciation of the history of this unique community.

Topics include: the German Town and its Families, the Spiritual Center, Key Clergy and Community Benefactor, Land and Livelihood, and Importance of Education, It concludes with short essays by three of the authors, each with a unique perspective on Preserving the German Language and Heritage.

Read more HERE

National Register of Historic Places Registration Documents

See the 2005 Iowa application to the National Park Service for the determination that placed the St. Luke School Building and Gymnasium on the Nation Registry of Historic Sites. This application contains a wealth of information on the history of the buildings and their educational use in the community. Thank you for your interest.

View National Register of Historic Places Registration

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 9:15 PM to 9:40 PM

St. Lucas Historical Society
German American Museum, Library and Family History Center
St. Lucas, Iowa 52166
 
Memorandum for the Record: 
 

An unscheduled board meeting was held last evening in the Museum Dining Room to address two urgent matters: the formal establishment of a memorial savings account for Jeanette Hlubek Dietzenbach and to determine our Oktoberfest dates and related meal plans.

 
Those in attendance were:  Ken Ehler, Cathy Ehler, Dan Kuennen, Kathy Kuennen, Mel Bodensteiner, Janet Bodensteiner, Dan Smith, Marie Schneeberger, Clair Blong.  
 
Topics of discussion:
 
1.  Berlin Wall.  The meeting began with a brief discussion of the Russ Baldner presentation on the Berlin Wall: Then and Now. The presentation was very well received and 25 plus were in the audience.  Russ spoke for two hours and delivered a very moving and sometimes emotional talk on the 20th Century history of Germany and Berlin and the tragedy of the Berlin Wall in dividing people for decades, actually from 1961 to 1989. Everyone was very impressed with Russ’s extensive knowledge of the many facets of Berlin’s history and its evolution into the new capital of Germany.  Russ emphasized a quote on a bronze plaque on the destroyed Wilhelm Church in Berlin that says “the judgement of God has descended on our people”. This elicited a very somber reflection on German’s accepting their guilt in the destructive war.  Extensive discussion continued during the refreshment period.  Attendees came from Calmar, Decorah, Cresco, New Hampton,West Union, Fort Atkinson, Westage, Waucoma and St. Lucas.  
 
2.  Jeanette Hlubek Dietzenbach Memorial Savings Account.  Clair recounted the history of other memorial savings accounts that the Society maintains.  These include: Duane and Maxine  Boyer, Ken and Lorraine Kuennen, Herman and Clothiel Kuennen, Leander and Marian Stammeyer, Merle Blong, Kathleen and Earl Drilling . Mel Dietzenbach has agreed to the establishment of this type of savings account for Jeanette.  The proceeds will be used toward the Museum in accordance with family wishes.  Cathy Ehler made a motion to establish this savings account with Bank 1st in St. Lucas. Janet Bodensteiner seconded the motion.  All present voted in favor of the motion.  Clair will notify the Bank 1st folks and establish the account soonest.  Jeanette’s wake is on Thursday and Friday, July 18th and 19th.  Her funeral is on Friday.  
 
3.  Oktoberfest 2024.    Bud Winter has proposed the Society consider participating in a proposed St. Lucas Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 12th.  The Society has scheduled our Oktoberfest for Saturday, October 5th.  Janet and others indicated the importance of our participating in this proposed community event on the church grounds on October 12th while maintaining our distinct Oktoberfest Open House event on Saturday, October 5th.  Janet and Kathy spelled out our Oktoberfest meal of brats and sides (both inhouse dining and curbside carry outs) so folks can see all the changes in the museum. They also recommended we participate in the proposed St. Lucas Oktoberfest event on the 12th by providing maderite sandwiches on buns, hot dogs and chips at a stand on the church grounds (near the softball field).  Janet made the motion to do both events as outlined above.  All voted in favor of the motion.  Jodi Steinlage also supported this motion but could not attend. 
 
4.  Jacob Bruess Photography.  Clair has approached Jacob Bruess to do overhead photography of the rehabilitation of the museum roof system.  Photos from the ground do not capture the reality of the skill and sometimes height defying work on the 70 foot high roof.  This week Jacob will begin doing drone photos of the work in progress and do this several times to the completion of the roof system project. This photo documentation is vital to the telling of the story of this major Society accomplishment.  Jim Boeding and Clair have already indicated they would help support this effort.  Other donors are most welcome.  Kathy suggested we ask Jacob to place the photos on his website. Janet urged us to get them on our website soonest. We will approach Nicole Dietzenbach in this regard. 
 
5.  Blacksmith Shop.  Recently Mel and Janet toured the blacksmith shop in Clermont during its 175 anniversary celebration.  They were impressed with the self guided tour and the use of plastic panels to protect the exhibits.  They urged us to tour it.  We can possibly use a similar approach in our blacksmith shop. Dan Kuennen suggested this work could be accomplished over the coming winter months.  
 
6. Board Meeting site.  Clair suggested we hold our next board meeting at another museum site like the new Caterpillar Tractor museum in Elkader.  We could hold our meeting there, tour the museum, and do dinner at the nearby restaurant.  Another option would be the Elgin Historical Society Museum.  
 
7.  Adjournment.  Ken Ehler made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Cathy Ehler seconded the motion.  All voted in favor of adjournment.  Meeting ended at 9:40 PM.  
 
Prepared by Clair Blong for consideration and approval by Carl Most, Recording Secretary. 

Board Meeting, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 10:30 AM to Noon

St. Lucas Historical Society
German American Museum, Library and Family History Center
St. Lucas, Iowa 52166
 
Opening Prayer.
Roll Call.
Financial Report.
    –Quarterly reports of income and expenses.
    –CD rollover.  
    –tax filing.   
Oktoberfest Planning.
      –meal planning
      –publicity.
Status of Roof Rehabilitation Project.
        –major roof work tasks completed.
        –remaining tasks: flat roofs, ridge caps, gutters, lighting rods, tuckpointing. 
        –drone photography.
IMA Training Status.
        –Emergency Preparedness Plan: develop a plan, distribute it and utilize it. 
        –Board Members: numbers, edited responsibilities, establish remote connection, etc. 
Luther College Women’s Club Tour and German Meal.  
        –After action report.
Society and Museum Website: stlucasmuseum.org
        –Updated site.
       –Facebook site.
Monthly Speakers Planning.
         –October.  Barbara Ortwein on Josef Spielmann contributions.   . 
         –November.  James Griesheimer on German Music.   
         –Spring.  Jon Greendeer on Challenges facing the Ho Chunk Nation.
Fayette County Courthouse Anniversary Celebration.
       –Poster board of St. Lucas businesses.
Christmas Reflections.
        –Planning.
        –Publicity. 
Donations and Loans.
     — Elaine Kuennen Sloan materials.
     — develop listing of acceptable and unacceptable items.
     –Franzen gum wrapper roll for Fayette County Courthouse anniversary.
     –Hageman Family materials.  6 boxes. 
     –Schwarwrath glass plate collections? 
Other topics? (let me know).  
Adjourn meeting.
Luncheon.  

Board Meeting, February 5, 2025, 10:30 AM to Noon

St. Lucas Historical Society
German American Museum, Library and Family History Center
St. Lucas, Iowa 52166
 
Prayer.
Attendance.
 
Roof Rehabilitation Project Completed.
   -Grant final report completed.
   -Croell donation of $5,000 received.
   -Contractor paid in full.
   -Video of project for review.
 
Manifest Planning.
   -Foodstuffs.
   -Meat preparation. Norske
   -Potatoes.
   -Deserts.
   -Other?
   -Traditional hats and costumes.
   -May pole.
   -Dancers.
   -Silent auction.
   -News article.
   -Poster.
 
IMA Museum Management Training Course.
 
Grant Proposal for Silos and Smokestacks support to agricultural theme identification and exhibit materials. Soonest.
 
Grant proposal for Fayette County Community Foundation support to rehabilitation of weld shop roof. Summer.
 
Weld Shop Roof Rehabilitation.
      -Repair work
      -Cost estimates.
      -Donations.
      -Grants.
      -Exhibit design and layout.
      -Clean blacksmith shop.
      -Identification of tools and equipment.
      -Develop signage.
 
Cataloguing Museum Collections.
       -Priorities. Library books, military. Uniforms, Native American and woodcraft materials.
      -Past Perfect software to use.
      -Format for each item.
      -Identification of data entry workers.
       -Two already available.
       -Train worker teams.
       -Compensation per each entry.
       -Review team for data entry.
       -Progress report to donors.
 
Journal Historical Perspectives.        
       -Winter issue at printer.
 
Monthly Speaker Series.
         -To be invited
         -Ho Chunk Nation leadership on Challenges and Opportunities.
         -National Czech & Slocak Museum
         -CEO on Astronomical Clock                 
         -Tower development & opening.
        -Amana Colonies Heritage Center on evolution of the colonies.
        -Luther historian on Native                     
        -Americans in Driftless Region.
        -Luther music professor on Czech Influences on German Classical Music.
        -Other speakers?
 
Society & Museum Website.
       -Ongoing updates.
 
Highway Signage.
       -Sets of signage on HiWays 18, 24 and 150.
       -Sign to read ” German American Museum”.
 
Scope and size of Msgr. Schmitt exhibit.
 
Weld Shop Roof Rehabilitation. Franzen tractor collection.
        -The pending sale of the duplicate set by the family.
 
Other agenda items?
 
Noon Adjournment.
 
Luncheon.  
         -Bring your favorite hot dish, side dish or dessert.
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