Montello Historic Preservation Society

Muir is Still Here is now available by contacting Kathleen McGwin or coming to the Muir is Still Here Exhibit in Montello.  

            The Montello Historic Preservation Society’s exhibit Muir is Still Here opens Saturday, June 19 at 10 AM in Vaughn Hall at 55 West Montello Street, Montello.   Daryl Christensen and Kathleen McGwin’s book Muir is Still Here is now available.   The book revisits and revitalizes the influences in John Muir’s young life in Marquette County, Wisconsin that helped shape this great man’s wilderness philosophy.  

McGwin says, “We wrote this as a joyful book; a look at who was there with Muir in  1850s, what he read, what he saw and what he loved in the landscape around him.  Not a biography, not a history text, this look into the past leads right into the present and takes the reader on a journey that will reconnect man to flora, human to fauna, and Muir’s view of the universe with our own longing to feel one with the world.  You don’t need to walk the path of the corduroy road that Muir helped build to find your own threads from the past woven into the present but Muir is Still Here tells you where to find it if you want to.  You can travel in your own county to find winged wonders that offer your soul a chance to fly free, but if you want to know where to see the birds that enchanted Muir as a boy, Muir is Still Here helps you find them, too.  Part travel guide, part chronicle of the past, part guide to self discovery, Muir is Still Here is a fascinating read for anyone who loves nature, admires John Muir, seeks renewal, or enjoys local history.”

            Four maps created by Richard Worthington are included in the book and supported by a grant from the Natural Resources Foundation’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program and the ATC Environmental Stewardship Fund.  The book is available at the Montello Historic Preservation Society in Vaughn Hall at 55 West Montello St. in Montello.  The exhibit will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 4 through August and by appointment.    

You can still participate in Year of John Muir events 2010

The Montello Historic Preservation Society is collaborating with many other organizations to make 2010 the Year of John Muir in Marquette County

August 14  Packwaukee Heritage Days with John Muir Days 1850s parade theme

August 29  Book signing of a Limited Edition reprint of Heart of John Muir’s World by Millie Stanley.  This book has been out of print for years.  Millie will be there to sign books.

Sept  11  1-4 PM Wee White Kirk scone and shortbread sale to raise money for roof, cemetery early settler remembrance walk Montello Historic Preservation Society and Daryl Christensen, Disciples of Christ worship service like Daniel Muir would have lead.  Located at Cty Rd O and 13th in Marquette County, just around the corner from John Muir Park on Cty Rd F.     JUST BOOKED!   Richarch Hoege will be playing the bagpipes at 3 PM 

September 25- Fall Colors Hike at the Fox River Refuge.  View the spectacular fall colors of this varied landscape. The Fox River Refuge (County Hwy O and County Hwy F in Buffalo Township, 7 miles south of Montello) is normally closed to hikers, so take advantage of this special opportunity. Cranes should be gathering and fall migration starting.  Bring binoculars, water, good walking shoes.   Time:  10:00- meet at the parking lot at John Muir Park.  We will walk to the refuge from that area. The hike will be lead by US Fish and Wildlife.

October 14-16 Bonnie Gisel, author, naturalist, sponsored by Thyme Shares Master Gardeners.

November 21 Pie and Scone Sale at Vaughn Hall for the Montello Historic Preservation Society

November 30 Truth Day in memory of Emmanual Dannan murdered in 1851 for refusing to lie.  He was 8 years old and lived about 10 miles from the 13 year old John Muir.

Muir is Still Here, a book co-authored by Daryl Christensen and Kathleen McGwin will be available during the Year of John Muir.