Society keeps up with events
Published 12:00 am Monday, March 24, 2003
Shirley DeYoung is a study in contrasts.
After all, she and her husband, Everett, do qualify for "senior citizen" status because of their age.
But the couple refuses to go quietly into their sunset years.
Both are as active a pair as one can see; particularly, Shirley.
DeYoung is the director of the Mower County Historical Society's historical center at the fairgrounds in southwest Austin.
Her husband, Everett,
is a valuable volunteer there.
DeYoung is a curator for historical artifacts donated for preservation to the Historical Society
She is also a champion for the preservation of history and heritage before many venues, including the Mower County Board of Commissioners.
DeYoung also knows Mower County history and it is this intimate knowledge of all things olden and golden that sets her apart.
For instance, she chose every picture in the new Mower County pictorial history book.
That's over 250 pictures.
"I think I know everyone that we have in the Historical Society's collection," she said matter-of-factly.
Entitled
"Images of America – Mower County, Minnesota," the new book is a first-time pictorial account of life in the county.
Published by Arcadia, the book sells for $19.99 plus tax and is available only at the historical center headquarters' administration offices.
"Mower County has other historical books," said DeYoung. "They are the 1884 and 1911 history books, plus the Mill on the Willow update in 1984, but this is the first time we have tried to assemble photographs to tell about the county's history," she said.
"I'm very pleased and satisfied with the effort and with the response it is attracting from people interested in Mower County history," she said.
The book begins with an examination of the name "Mower" and then explores the city of Austin.
Next, it opens its pages to life in Mower County by examining scenes up-close and personal in photos from specific townships. All 20 are represented in the book
The book concludes with depictions of historic agriculture scenes in the county.
Early sales have included multiple copies to the curious.
The chance of seeing "someone you knew or read about" is intriguing, she said.
So is the chance of seeing a relative.
DeYoung said she relishes her job as the unofficial "gatekeeper" to Mower County's past.
"History is important to all of us and it must be preserved," she said.
This active senior spares no detail in doing her job.
For more information about the new pictorial history book, visit the Mower County Historical Center on the fairgrounds in southwest Austin or call Mrs. DeYoung at 437-6082.
Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com