MONROE — The local group that has spent decades working to protect Monroe’s heritage will disband this summer after helping preserve and restore much of the small city’s historic features.

There are about 25 current members of Questers Swiss Attic Fanciers that meet monthly. The group either meets at someone’s home or travels to a chosen destination for lunch and presentation of some sort. 

Anita Duray currently serves as the group’s president, and served as their secretary for years after getting involved in 2012. 

Although the get-togethers are well attended and projects are still being completed, it’s becoming more difficult to get people to volunteer to serve in leading roles, she said.

“Five of (our members) are over 90,” she said. “It’s really sad that it’s folding, and I think everybody feels that way. But to do it, you need people.”

Duray said the group has much to be proud of – in recent years they have restored the windows at the Green County Historical Society and helping with a local indigent cemetery. 

 “All of us just really love history,” she said. “I joined because I was fascinated with history.” 

Finding people to lead the group has been an issue for about five years, Duray said. Although none of the group’s members wanted to see it fold, it was decided the time had come when the nominating committee struggled to fill roles like president and secretary. 

“We’re disbanding not because we want to – but because times change and there’s lots of organizations out there,” she said.

Before the group completely disbands, which is slated for June, they hope to complete some of the projects they’re working on, including a flag for the fire department and restoring one of Carl Marty’s pictures.

The group still plans to get together to visit and have lunch, something they continue to enjoy. Duray said the state Questers group is encouraging members to join with other clubs if they want to continue, the nearest one likely being in Janesville, Delavan or Madison.

History

June Geiger originally found a group to form Questers in Monroe that included two full groups who would later join to take on projects. 

One of the biggest projects the group is known for is raising $50,000 to restore the steeple on the clock tower in the 1980s. It was damaged in a wind storm, threatened injuries to passersby and had been down since 1955. 

The group formed rummage sales, received grants and accepted donations for the quick turnaround. The construction of the steeple was finished and placed on the top of the clock tower with a crane Oct. 24, 1985. By 1986, Questers received another grant for $1,500 to illuminate the steeple. 

The group worked on several projects from there, including several at Monroe Arts Center, the Green County Historical Museum and Turner Hall.