By Robert Williams

Editor

Executive Director Chris Schuelke was recognized Tuesday, March 24, by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners for 37 years of dedicated service to the Otter Tail County Historical Society.

Schuelke has been the director since the early 1990s and will be officially retiring at the end March. He originally joined the organization in 1989 as a curator.

Schuelke opened with a story from his early days as director regarding Phelps Mill and how it taught him a lesson on working with local government.

“You have to work with your local government units as a non-profit county historical society,” he said. “I really want to extend my appreciation to Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners, over the years, you guys are only the latest iteration of this, for their support of local history and the historical society.”

Schuelke also addressed the staff and the future of the historical society.

“The organization will be fine; they’ll forget me within a few hours because we have a mission,” he said. “It’s not my historical society. They have a mission to collect, preserve and interpret Otter Tail County history. The staff is so dedicated to do that. I’m really confident they will find the right person to move the society along into the future. Again, thank you, I appreciate it. All these years, it’s been a good run.”

Multiple commissioners expressed their appreciation for Schuelke’s work, including Dan Bucholz from District 1, who complimented Schuelke’s efforts to spread the focus of the society to all of Otter Tail County, especially the Perham area.

“That’s one thing I think I’m really proud of during our time here is that we’ve made a concerted effort to reach out and not just west Otter Tail, not just Fergus Falls, but to all of the county,” Schuelke said.

District 2 Commissioner Wayne D. Johnson talked about how Schuelke brought history to life in the county.

“Your storytelling, your telling of the events in all the different towns, whether it be just north of us up here in what used to be a state hospital, whether it be Pelican Rapids when you’re there during Friendship Festival, all over the county,” said Johnson. “You’re very accessible to the public, always telling good stories, always with a passion for the history of Otter Tail County. I just want you to know how greatly it’s appreciated.”

District 5 Commissioner Sean Sullivan also commented on Schuelke’s efforts.

  “You have been such a wonderful steward of the history of Otter Tail County; the very fabric of what we’re all about and making sure we don’t forget it and we can live it and hear it through your words and your voice what that history means to us and your stories are always engaging and we just hope you’re not a stranger.”

Chairman District 4 Commissioner Bob Lahman wrapped up by thanking Schuelke for his work and said how much he enjoyed tours led by Schuelke. The commissioners presented Schuelke with a plaque in appreciation for his 37 years of service.

A celebration and retirement roast are planned for Friday, April 10, from 5-7 p.m., upstairs at the Eagles Aerie #2339, 120 South Peck Street, in Fergus Falls.