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Berni Crow has gifted the legacy of her Center School Museum and all of its historical content to the Arnold Area Historical Society. The gift also includes lodging located in the building’s basement.
Creating a one-room school museum and lodging for the town has been a labor of love since she and husband Dave moved the bones of the building to its location on North Walnut Street in 2012. Since that time, the couple has spent long hours doing what is described as “The Four R’s: remodeling, refurbishing, recording and rearranging.”
Even before purchasing and moving the building to Arnold, Berni spent years collecting and assembling items that would one day create an authentic one-room school house.
“I didn’t want it to die. It has been a passion for me. I thought if I give it to people who care, it will live on,” said the long-time Arnold 4th grade teacher who has been battling cancer.
“We are honored to be gifted this labor of love,” said AAHS President Renee Bubak. “From her family and early years, Berni learned a love of school, of learning, of books, of teaching, of experiences, of hard work, of do-it-yourself entrepreneurship, of valuing history, and of restoring what was and creating something from scratch. The museum brings back memories to those who attended their own country school and brings history to life for those generations who never experienced it. The Society’s overriding goal is to continue offering future generations a way to get to know their roots. Going forward, we will be seeking some retired teachers to assist in providing ‘A Day in the Life’ of a country school classroom for Arnold students from area schools.”
After accepting the gift from the Crows, AAHS members formed a sub-committee to help with the transfer and operations of the property. Becky Dailey and Karen Horst have been involved with working with a local attorney and the Village of Arnold.
Those involved with regular operations include:
– Donna Corbin will provide housekeeping and oversee the continental breakfast for the lodging and tend to the school museum. She will also take care of the flower beds. Rick Beshaler has volunteered to take care of the mowing; Matthew Corbin has assisted him. Weed treatment for the property will be provided by Dave Crow this year.
– Tour volunteers include Donna Corbin, Rick and Barb Peterson, Carlene Lanham, and Kim Beshaler.
– Holly Hornung Remund will be taking local reservations and working to re-engage the bed and breakfast on the Airbnb site.
“There is a real market need for Airbnb in our area. It is our hope that continued operation of this service will be mutually beneficial to visitors to our community and the Arnold Area Historical Society,” said Remund.
Bubak said it will require many volunteers to allow the museum and Airbnb to successfully operate and be self-sufficient.
“We are up and running and learning as we go,” said Bubak. “Our hope is that the bed and breakfast will bring in enough income to cover taxes, insurance and utilities with a little additional funds left over to handle ongoing maintenance.”
For local bookings for the bed and breakfast and to arrange tours, please call 308-848-2462.
