Stevens County Historical Society

Staff

 

 

 

                                                                                                Gary Wahl 

Gary Wahl

Director

Gary Wahl has spent half of his adult life in Stevens County.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris campus where he studied History and Art.  After a career as a Professor of Art Gary returned to Morris with his beloved Anne Hennen Barber and their two boys Oliver and Louis in 2013. 

A lifelong photographer, Gary has been interested in the Midwest landscape and the many ways people use, change, and care for it.  As the Director of the Stevens County History Society and Museum Gary is excited to hear family stories, to read old newspaper articles, look over census and economic data, and travel the back roads around the county.

Because history starts in the present, Gary plans to use his new position to gather contemporary accounts from young and old.  Together these accounts showcase the differences and similarities of life on the prairie through the years.  He looks forward to working with the Stevens County History Society & Museum, bringing more people into the museum to research, read, visit, or gather with friends and family to memorialize a beloved family member in our Hall of Honor.

Gary invites everyone to stop by the museum, say Hi, and tell their own stories.

                                                                           Bill Mugshot       

Bill Eckersen

Collections Manager

Bill accepted the position of Collections Manager in August 2022.   He was the Morning Show host on KKOK (Morris radio) and Program Director for over 30 years. He brings experience in news writing, editing and interviewing. In his spare time he is an avid bicyclist. Bill also attended UMM and is looking forward to documenting the history of the county he has lived in since 1975. 

 

                                                                                                       

Sharon Ehlers

Guest Services

Sharon lives on a hobby farm in Framnas Township with her husband Doug. They have three grown children and two grandsons. Working at the museum is Sharons "retirement" job. She has worked as an Extension Agent, Preschool Teacher and, most recently, a Library Assistant at the Morris Public Library. Sharon is also the clerk for Framnas Township and involved in their church and Extension Homemakers. Besides volunteering, Sharon loves "grandma time", needlework and reading. She is enjoying her new position at the museum and learning more about the history of Stevens County.