Buffalo residents form historical society to learn about and preserve city’s history

As the City of Buffalo continues to develop, and plans are being made and reviewed for the Downtown Vision Plan, a group of residents have formed a club to research and preserve the history of the city.

   When Shala Holm, Sue Mattson, Jack McAlister, Ross Miller, and Jeremiah Patrick all showed up to a council meeting to apply for the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, they realized they were not alone in their passion to make sure Buffalo’s history is not lost as the city develops and grows. From this meeting, the Buffalo Historical Society was formed, and they are on a mission to protect Buffalo’s history.

Interest in the Society

   The idea of working together to learn about and preserve Buffalo’s history was appealing to the founding group, as they each had historical topics of personal interest.

   “I love house architecture,” Miller shared. “When I saw some of that history disappearing, that’s when I showed up to the City Council.”

   Mattson has lived in the community since 1972, and in her previous small town, she was a part of a history club.

   “I’ve done a lot of volunteerism around Buffalo and have had a real investment in this town,” Mattson shared. “I’ve seen a lot of changes in this town, and I’m concerned about some changes. It’s the education and awareness of the trophies we have, and what our history is.”

   Holm has been a long-time lover of Minnesota history.

   “When Jack started talking about the Buffalo Lake wall, I went to the library and used the microfiche to look up articles about it,” Holm said. “I love microfiche, and researching and finding things! I’m concerned about some historical buildings in downtown as they build bigger ones.”

   McAlister was a long-time member of multiple historical societies, and is eager to join Buffalo’s.

   “My wife and I lived here from 1984 until she died in 2003, then I was up north for 16 years,” McAlister shared. “I came back two years ago, and when I first moved back, I took walks and saw the wall, and that’s what got me interested.”

Starting the Society

   After the connection was made, they began researching the historic Buffalo Lake Scenic Overlook, or the WPA Wall, by the library in downtown Buffalo. A presentation was put together and presented to the City Planning Commission, which included pictures, historical facts, and the concerns about the possible damage it could sustain when the Wright County Government Center property is redeveloped.

   As they worked with Sally Stevens, at the Wright County Historical Society, she recommended the group send out a post on Facebook to invite like-minded residents to join their mission. Already, after only two meetings, 20 people have shared the original group’s eagerness to learn about the city’s history and ways to help make sure it is not damaged.

   “They’re an energetic group, to the point that we have the papers to register as a non-profit,” Mattson shared.

   “The purpose of this club will be to form an active group of members dedicated to the study and appreciation of all aspects of the history of Buffalo,” Holm added, reading from the club’s mission statement. “Through educational programs, research, preservation advocacy of historic buildings, sites and artifacts, along with the collection and preservation of printed and manuscript materials and maps related to the heritage of Buffalo, we hope to share the importance of historic preservation with a broader number of people in our community.”

    “Buffalo: From Trading Post to Star City,” by Marcia Paulson, is a comprehensive history of the town, and a book on which the club is building a foundation on; a goal is to add to the book, which was written in 1987.    

Growing the Society

   Within the first few months of forming the society, they have begun research of the history of historic buildings downtown, and have begun categorizing them. Their first meeting included a presentation on the city’s Milky Way ice cream shop, and on Tuesday, Sept. 28, Chris Hoffman, owner of One Division Art, will share about the building’s history.

   The Society has set monthly meetings, during which a presentation can be given, and others can bring in information they have found. As they continue to grow, they will be electing officials, and setting up an official Facebook page and website, which will offer a database of historic information.

   The Buffalo Historical Society meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wright County Historical Society building (2001 MN-25, Buffalo).

   Whether you are curious about the City’s historical buildings and events, or have a project of your own to contribute, the Buffalo Historical Society welcomes everyone to join their mission of researching and preserving the charm and value of Buffalo’s history.