DARLINGTON — The Lafayette County History Museum lives in a 1905 building on Main Street in Darlington. While the historic Carnegie Free Library is appreciated for its own sake, and as the beautiful home of displays and archives, it was not built to accommodate older, injured, or handicapped visitors. The downstairs has been accessible by ramp from the side entrance, but the upstairs required two flights of stairs causing some to avoid the museum.
After searching for a solution for many years, the new stairlift was made possible by the generosity of Donna Born, who made a sizeable donation to the Historical Society in memory of her mother, lifetime member, Geraldine Martens. Donna recalled that her mother was sad to miss visits to the museum when she needed a wheelchair. She believes her mother would want others to be able to enjoy all the museum has to offer. She requested a determination the cost of the stairlift, installation, signage and any other necessary related items so she could fund it as one donation. Upon completion, the museum installed a plaque to indicate the stairlift was funded in memory of Geraldine Martens.
The stairlift was purchased from and installed by Finley-Hartig Homecare in Dubuque. Norse Electric donated the necessary electrical work. The seat is wide, solid and comfortable with footrest, armrests, and seat belt. Operation is simple and instructions are posted at all three stops: the lower level, the entry landing, and the upper level. Staff will be available to assist anyone new to the stairlift, which has been tested and is ready for use. Signage has been installed outside directing persons that wish to avoid stairs to the ground level side entrance. From that door a ramp with handrail leads to the lower level and the stairlift can transport persons to the upper level.
Current displays include:
● Upstairs: Favorites from a collection of beautiful wedding dresses; military, school, home and commercial exhibits; original Kammerude paintings; and extensive archives of historical and family information.
● Downstairs: More displays of schools; paintings by local artists; large children’s items; the “1910 Room” and more.
The air conditioning keeps the museum comfortable on hot days, and there is convenient parking behind the building on Wells Street, one block off of Main Street to the east. Museum is open from 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday and by request. If the regular hours don’t fit a visitor’s schedule, call the museum (608-776-8340) and request a different time.
