For years staff at the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum have been finding ways to improve, renovate, and restore the community’s beloved attraction.

Over the summer, the museum received several mechanisms of funding which will help will restore masterpieces like the 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion and the 1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mills.

Museum staff hosted a media day to highlight their improvements, and KSAL News got a chance to hear what they have been progressing towards.

Bethany College is partnered with the projects and hopes to see the restorations come to fruition. Bethany Alumni Director Hayley Samford says the college has always supported and advocated for improvements to the museum. Pracht mentions the museum has added mini exhibits of collections from the college.

Lindsborg Mayor Clark Shultz says he wants to continue the success of the restorations and improvements the museum has done and will continue to do.

Newly hired museum executive director Aubrey Wheeler  is ready for the opportunity and challenges the improvements bring. Wheeler, who is from Newton, brings her museum experiences as she was the Director and Curator of the City of Marion Historical Museum. She is looking forward in implementing her Marion County credentials to Lindsborg.

 

Wheeler says Lindsborg is a strong community, and  she fell in love with the town because of it.

 

The Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum has a promising future as they have successfully received and secured $840,000 in grant since 2023.