Minnesota Military Museum seeks volunteers

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ben Houtkooper | The Minnesota Military Museum gives visitors the opportunity to see first hand many historical military pieces. The museum is open during the winter on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Photo courtesy Minnesota National Guard)  

CAMP RIPLEY, MN, UNITED STATES

02.06.2013

Courtesy Story

Minnesota National Guard

CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - The Minnesota Military Museum gives visitors an opportunity to look through a window into Minnesota military past. This unique museum located at historic Camp Ripley, Minn., is a volunteer staffed museum. Last year alone the volunteers logged over 2,500 hours, working in all areas of the museum. The busy season is just around the corner and the museum is looking for volunteers for this year.

“We have definitely improved the visitor experience and have been able to finish projects we never could have completed without our volunteers,” stated executive director Jeff Thielen. “As a small non-profit we struggle with having the funds to do many things, and volunteers allow us to accomplish a multitude of tasks.”

According to Thielen, volunteers take on a variety of tasks in the museum. For instance, volunteers play major roles in managing the library, leading tours for visitors, caring for and preserving artifacts, developing exhibits, working in the store and transcribing interviews with veterans.

The Minnesota Military Museum is the only military museum in Minnesota representing all branches of service having exhibits from frontier days to the present.

“Preserving the history of our military men and women is an important and honorable task”, said Maj. John Donovan spokesperson for Camp Ripley. “Veterans, drilling soldiers, family members and concerned citizens are all warmly invited to support the museum in preserving and telling Minnesota veterans’ stories.”

The museum needs volunteers to continue to entertain and inform visitors of our Minnesota military history.

Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities at the museum can visit their website at MNMilitaryMuseum.org. or call 320-616-6050.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2013
• Date Posted: 02.06.2013 16:05
• Story ID: 101569
• Location: CAMP RIPLEY, MN, US