Jones Retires As Historical Society Director; Fletcher Hired As Replacement
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Kosciusko Historical Society board of directors wished retiring director Jeannie Jones well Sunday, and welcomed new director Mike Fletcher to the organization.
"She'll be greatly missed," said society president Jerry Frush, following the board meeting. "She's been an important part of the organization for the last 10 years. When I became active, she didn't let me sit around. It's been a real pleasure to work with her. She's been very cooperative and easy to get along with."
"I hate to leave the people," Jones said when she announced her resignation in November. "I can't think of a nicer bunch. People have such strong roots here, they have such a sense of family history."
She said the musuem volunteers are fabulous. "You have to be a 'people person,' have good ears and be willing to listen endlessly."
Jones was hired as director in December 1995, initiating programs like the Haunted Jail, afternoons with sculptor Mary Masters and the Antiques Roadshow. She oversaw special exhibits provided by local collectors, often enhanced with items from the museum's archives.
The society presented Jones with a clock. The words "Time Goes By" are inscribed on the base.
Her last day at the Old Jail Museum is January 29.
Fletcher is a retired Salvation Army officer and a 1966 graduate of Warsaw High School.
"I didn't want a job that would compete with the local Salvation Army organization," Fletcher said, "and history has always been a hobby."
He said his background in administration and fund-raising and experience with volunteers will serve him well as the incoming museum director. Stationed at various Army posts throughout the country, Fletcher made regular trips to Kosciusko County to visit his parents and siblings, but, he said, all the old landmarks are gone.
His first wife, Connie, who also was a Salvation Army officer, died in 1999. The couple have three children.
Following his retirement from the Army July 1, 2003, he married Carol Borders of Warsaw, five days later.
"It's good to be back home," Fletcher said. He spent about a year as a househusband. "Carol, who still works, suggested I get a job. She said I needed to be around people."
The new director doesn't plan any changes at the museum. "If it isn't broke ..." he said.
Historical society board of directors are: Jerry Frush, president; Marge Himes, first vice president; Charlotte Siegfried, second vice president; Marge Warren, third vice president; Nancy Adams, secretary; Joanna Behr, assistant secretary; June Thomas, treasurer; Neal Carlson, assistant treasurer; Doug Mayer, librarian; Ronald Sharp, county historian; Jack Anglin, Geneva Brumfield, Dan Coplen, Mary Ettinger, Caroline Fawley, Ken Fawley, Patricia Hagg, Avis Gunter, Duane Huffer, Dan Kuhn Joann Robinson, Loran Sims, Mary Hartel and Bob Robinson.
The Old Jail Museum is at 121 N. Indiana St. in Warsaw. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]
Kosciusko Historical Society board of directors wished retiring director Jeannie Jones well Sunday, and welcomed new director Mike Fletcher to the organization.
"She'll be greatly missed," said society president Jerry Frush, following the board meeting. "She's been an important part of the organization for the last 10 years. When I became active, she didn't let me sit around. It's been a real pleasure to work with her. She's been very cooperative and easy to get along with."
"I hate to leave the people," Jones said when she announced her resignation in November. "I can't think of a nicer bunch. People have such strong roots here, they have such a sense of family history."
She said the musuem volunteers are fabulous. "You have to be a 'people person,' have good ears and be willing to listen endlessly."
Jones was hired as director in December 1995, initiating programs like the Haunted Jail, afternoons with sculptor Mary Masters and the Antiques Roadshow. She oversaw special exhibits provided by local collectors, often enhanced with items from the museum's archives.
The society presented Jones with a clock. The words "Time Goes By" are inscribed on the base.
Her last day at the Old Jail Museum is January 29.
Fletcher is a retired Salvation Army officer and a 1966 graduate of Warsaw High School.
"I didn't want a job that would compete with the local Salvation Army organization," Fletcher said, "and history has always been a hobby."
He said his background in administration and fund-raising and experience with volunteers will serve him well as the incoming museum director. Stationed at various Army posts throughout the country, Fletcher made regular trips to Kosciusko County to visit his parents and siblings, but, he said, all the old landmarks are gone.
His first wife, Connie, who also was a Salvation Army officer, died in 1999. The couple have three children.
Following his retirement from the Army July 1, 2003, he married Carol Borders of Warsaw, five days later.
"It's good to be back home," Fletcher said. He spent about a year as a househusband. "Carol, who still works, suggested I get a job. She said I needed to be around people."
The new director doesn't plan any changes at the museum. "If it isn't broke ..." he said.
Historical society board of directors are: Jerry Frush, president; Marge Himes, first vice president; Charlotte Siegfried, second vice president; Marge Warren, third vice president; Nancy Adams, secretary; Joanna Behr, assistant secretary; June Thomas, treasurer; Neal Carlson, assistant treasurer; Doug Mayer, librarian; Ronald Sharp, county historian; Jack Anglin, Geneva Brumfield, Dan Coplen, Mary Ettinger, Caroline Fawley, Ken Fawley, Patricia Hagg, Avis Gunter, Duane Huffer, Dan Kuhn Joann Robinson, Loran Sims, Mary Hartel and Bob Robinson.
The Old Jail Museum is at 121 N. Indiana St. in Warsaw. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]