Politics & Government

Historical Society Working Toward Santee Museum

The old polo barn has been home to the Santee Historical Society for two years, now they want to make it a museum.

One building in Santee sticks out a little bit from the rest, and it’s probably because it’s a lot older than most buildings in the city.

Built in 1913, the large green and white barn on Edgemoor Drive has been home to the — and even possibly a few ghosts — for the past two years. Now they’re organizing countless photos and documents in preparation for a museum.

The Historical Society was established in the early 1950s by Harriet Wade — she was the one who “saved” the barn and ensured it became a federal historic landmark, according to Treasurer Elaine Brack. Many other historical buildings used to surround the barn, but were ultimately torn down for new construction or because of health hazards such as asbestos and lead-based paint.

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“We lost the battle,” Brack said.

However, only recently has the Historical Society been able to use the building, as it was used for many purposes, including most recently as a hospital until 2009. Originally, it was a polo horse stable for a wealthy Coronado man, then a poor farm in the depression and eventually a hospital, where, in fact, Brack’s mother worked as a nurse.

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Now Brack and archivist Carol Crafts, along with other society volunteers, are trying to sort through decades worth of documents and photos left behind by Wade, who is now deceased. The biggest problem for them has been going through hundreds of photos without knowing who the rights belong to or who the subjects are in many of the photos.

Slowly the historical society is trying to upload many of the photos, documents and historical interviews to its website which launched about two weeks ago. Members are hoping Santee residents might be able to help identify some of the subjects in their collection of photographs.

The Historical Society is hoping to have the museum up and running in the next year, but it’s been difficult to get the ball rolling without enough money and volunteers, said Pat Finn with the historical society.

“It’s interesting how quickly you lose those things,” Finn said.

Anyone can donate money to the Santee Historical Society by becoming a member or purchasing items from their various fundraisers, such as the upcoming barn sale in November.

The Historical Society is open every from 10 a.m. to noon and although there isn’t a museum yet, volunteers like Brack will be there to share any stories or show visitors some of their many historical documents.


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