2009 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE
The Lowell Area Historical Museum would like to thank all those who were able to contribute to our 2009 Annual Fund Drive.  It was our pleasure to offer special recognition benefits to our donors who assisted in this year’s campaign. 

$50+    Pioneer level, One year free family membership  

$100+  Settler level,  One year free family membership and Lowell MuseumHistorical 2010calendar 

$250+  Guide level, One year free family membership, Lowell Museum Historical 2010 calendar, one facility rental and listing on our webpage 

$500+  Voyageur level, One year free family membership, Lowell Museum  Historical 2010 calendar, one facility rental, listing on our webpage.  Voyageur’s will be invited to a special open house reception in mid January of 2010 for a wine and cheese reception and receive a yearend activity report on programs and operations

Listed below are those who contributed $250 and above

King Milling Company – Voyageur
Brian & Cheryl Doyle - Voyageur
James M. & Kelly Doyle –Voyageur
King & Marie Doyle- Voyageur
Susan Doyle - Voyageur
Ivan & Carolyn Blough - Voyageur
Dolores Dey – Guide
Richard & Phyllis Bieri – Guide
Stephen & Michelle Doyle - Guide
Howard & Judy Thumser – Guide
John & Colleen Timpson - Guide

Listed below are all other contributors, ** Settler Level $100 + donation, * Pioneer Level $50 + donation.
 

Gerard Adams Media Rare **
George & Pat Allchin **
Carlen & Bev Anderson **
Anne Armstrong
Carol Avery *
Dean & Janet Bailey **
William & Ardis Barber **
Jim & Barbara Barber
Linda Barnes **
John Bergin **
John & Susan Bergin**
Janet Bieri
Biggs, Hausserman, Thompson & Dickinson *
Flora Bishop **
Michael & Toni Blough **
Marguerite Blough *
Jake Blough
Luke Blough
Marguerite Blough*
Mark & Jan Blough **
Neal Blough
Nick Blough **
Rene Blough
Vercel & Marilyn Bovee
Chris & Paula Briggs **
David Coons **
Louie & Melinda D’Agostino **
Don & June Dilly *
Bill & Denise Dommer *
Dee Doyle
John Dunn
Bob & Patty Elzinga *
Donna Jean Ford *
Gary & Roxanne Goff *
Jim & Bonnie Grooters
Peter & Catherine Haefner **
Linda LeSage & Alan Halbeisen
Dale & Jan Hanson
Dave & Marj Harding **
Angela Peckham Hewett **
Margaret Hoats **

Kurt, Donna, Kallie & Katie Holzhueter
Peggy Idema *
Janet Johnson
Paul & Gretchen Jones *
Pauline La Due *
Maryalene La Ponsie *
Mr. & Mrs. Roger La Warre *
Lowell Family Medical Center *
Charlie & Kay McDonald *
David W. Miller
Gordon & Arlene Newell
Joe & Melva Oesch **
Clark & Greta Parson *
Stephen Peckham **
Velma Perry*
Dr. Robert Reagan **
Dr. James & Becky Reagan **
Dr. Robert K. Richards *
Thomas Richmond**
Edwin & Doris Roth *
David & Anita Roth **
William & Dorothy Roth **
Dr. Richard & Doris Ryder *
Richard & Jean Savage
Randy & Peggy Seaman **
Rick & Jodie Seese *
Showboat Automotive & Supply **
Dr. Richard & Mable Siegle *
Eugene & Joy Smith *
Tom Stahr **
Ron & Jeanene Stevens *
Bill & Susan Stouffer *
Dorothy Teesdale
Dave & Jan Thompson **
Ronald & Karen Thomure **
Matt & Lois Tomasiewicz **
Lloyd & Judy Wepman *
Marion Wheat **
Jim & Bobbie White
William & Diane Wieland **
Roger & Jan Wittenbach **
Bob Yeiter
Ray & Barb Zandstra *

(** Settler Level $100 + donation, * Pioneer Level $50 + donation)

We will always remember you!

The Lowell Area Historical Museum would like to take this moment to remember one of Lowell’s many generous individuals and say THANK YOU.  He was  very humble, kind and was always known to live a low-key life, except for his hats and his big Cadillac.  Harold J. Englehardt was a self-made millionaire whose philanthropic planning has left a legacy that has given and will continue to give back to this community that he loved so much.

Harold was born on December 13, 1900 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He attended Ferris State College and came to Lowell in 1922. He took a job as a cashier for Lowell State Bank and worked there until the bank went on a “banking holiday” in 1929.

A year later, with money he had saved, he purchased Lowell Granite Company a mismanaged business on the brink of ruin. From this business he organized a large group of investors to open “Lowell  State Savings Bank.”  During the great Depression he was known to send homeless individuals to Lou Racine’s restaurant for a hot meal, paying their bill weekly without them ever knowing who did this kind deed.

The bank came at an opportune time to help residents of Lowell recover from the depression. Harold’s concern for the well being of the community extended to helping stimulate business and agriculture, and providing funds for several local capital improvement programs.

He continued to operate his business for many years while lending his expertise to the bank as a board member. In 1960 he accepted the position of bank president, and eventually sold the Lowell Granite company to a long time employee.

Mr. and Mrs. Englehardt’s special interest in education was demonstrated by their establishing several scholarships.  His most visible and generous donation of $380,000 in 1997 went the toward the new library, which was named in their honor, now known as Harold and Mildred Englehardt Library.

In 1997, after his death, it was announced that he had left a gift to the Lowell area of $12.7 million dollars. The Lowell Area Community Fund is one that has continued giving to the needs of the Lowell area. The funds have gone on to help many local institutions, including the City of Lowell, Lowell Area Schools, Lowell Township, Vergennes Township,  FROM, LACC, LAAC, LAHM, GRAA and many, many  others.

This is just a reminder to all of us that people can make a difference.  Please take a moment to reflect on just how fortunate the community of Lowell has been, and just how many gracious and generous people like Harold J. Englehardt are among us.