Spring Valley’s past finds a future home
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| Adelle Cavaletto had taught ceramics in her home until almost the end of her life. Her home, which was purchased by the Spring Valley Historic Association, still contained many of her display shelves and ceramic molds and figures, some of which are shown here by Spring Valley Economic Development Director Debb Ladgenski (from left), who helped facilitate the sale, and SVHA members Tom Nesti and Kathy Cullinan. The shelves left in the home will be useful in displaying items in the new museum, which members hope to have open in time for Spring Valley’s 125th anniversary celebration next year. (BCR photo/Barb Kromphardt) |
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SPRING VALLEY — The stories of the coal miners and grocers, the businessmen and laborers, the men and women who made the city of Spring Valley, have now found a permanent home.
Less than four months after its creation, the Spring Valley Historic Association (SVHA) has purchased a building to house the museum it hopes to create.
“We were at the right place at the right time,” said association member Tom Nesti. “It seemed like it was almost meant to be.”
On Aug. 19, the SVHA purchased the former home of long-time resident Adelle Cavaletto, located at 201 W. St. Paul St. The residence, estimated to be almost as old as the town and erected around 1890, was in the Cavaletto family since Adelle’s father, Mark, bought the property in the early 1900s. The home has been vacant since Adelle, who died Nov. 5, 2008, went into a nursing home a few years ago.
Both Kathy Cullinan, director of the SVHA, and Nesti were pleased to have secured a building so quickly.
“We were barely started as a group, and the opportunity came to look at the building,” Cullinan said.
Cullinan said Cavaletto was a major force in the previous historical group, and her executor and inheritors were “extremely generous” in cutting the price so the SVHA could buy the building.
Nesti said they had received much advice and assistance from other Bureau County historical societies.
“They said, ‘First and foremost, the only way that you’re going to be successful is you have to have a location,’” Nesti said. “It allows people that are thinking of donating family heirlooms and memories of Spring Valley, it gives them a sense of security that they’re going to be safely housed somewhere.”
The two-story house, which had an apartment upstairs and a full basement, has seen little remodeling.
“It’s about what you would expect going into an older home,” Nesti said.
The first concern is the roof, and when that is fixed, Cullinan would like to remodel the upstairs apartment so that a renter could help provide some funds for the rest of the remodeling.
Cullinan said the SVHA will need a lot of monetary donations, interest and volunteers who are willing to donate their skills.
“There’s quite a few steps to go through before we get to the point that we actually have a museum,” she said.
Cullinan said the SVHA will soon begin collecting items and memorabilia from area residents, and said they hope to get a starting boost from items that were left when the previous historical society disbanded.
After that, the sky’s the limit. Original documents, photographs, family histories, diaries ... all would be welcomed.
And then there’s the memorabilia.
“Like if somebody’s great-great-grandfather had a pick from the mines,” Cullinan said. “We’re looking for the intrinsic Spring Valley value in everything.”
Nesti said people can let others enjoy their memorabilia, whether by donation to the SVHA or a loan for a short-term display.
“Just don’t stick it in a closet, stick it a corner, stick it in a drawer,” he said. “Share it with everybody.”
Nesti said if something isn’t done to preserve the memories of Spring Valley, they will one day be gone.
“We won’t be the lesser for it because we’re the old people, and we remember,” he said. “It’s the younger kids.”
The SVHA is eager to welcome new members, particularly younger people.
“This is their heritage,” Cullinan said. “This is what’s going to be left for them someday.”
“We can get it rolling, but the success of this is going to depend upon those that are going to follow us,” Nesti said.
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A note from the past ...
The Spring Valley Mine and Historical Society was formed in 1999.
Originally, members hoped to use the former city hall for a museum, but the city council instead voted to tear the building down.
Members set up a temporary museum in a vacant St. Paul Street storefront for awhile but had to move when a renter was located.
In 2002, the museum moved its artifacts into storage at the new city hall.
When the organization dissolved, most of the artifacts were taken back by their original owners.
Need more information?
For more information, contact Kathy Cullinan at 815-664-4288, or by e-mail to katjo225@yahoo.com.
