History of Girl Scouts in Northfield on View at Historical Society

Northfielder Amy Acheson who worked with the Scouts and Northfield Historical staff and volunteers brings us colorful background about the History of Girl Scouts Northfield Historical Society exhibit. She reminds us that the saying "Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout!" brings to mind our connection to the past ... whether we participated or knew someone that had -- the century old organization brings forth fond memories and many of the same practices and values as it always did.

The Girl Scout Promise says, "On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Furthermore , the Girl Scout Law says, "I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout."

These core values are part of the reason a local Girl Scout troop took on the community project of putting together an exhibit to showcase the organization's 100 years at the Northfield Historical Society.

Troop #25259 consists of eight girls that are second year Juniors going into the Sixth Grade. This community project would also allow them to earn a Bronze Award, the highest award they can get at their age level. They researched, looked through archives, interviewed past and present Girl Scouts, made notes and gathered ideas of how they might display a one-hundred-year-old organization and show the local side of its own unique history.

Tasked with plenty to do, Troop #25259 received great support from the Northfield Historical Society as Director Hayes Scriven facilitated the process and helped in so many ways to support the vision of what the troop would help to create. Bob and Martha Davies, volunteers at the historical society, were instrumental in the exhibit's success as they were experienced in guiding each step along the way. Heritage Coordinator Jaycee Nilson from the Northfield Girl Scout Service Unit collected articles of old uniforms, documents, awards and more to give the girls some context plus a St. Olaf intern researched past Northfield News articles that brought interesting stories alive for a local slant. For example, in 1966 a Northfield troop camped out on Bridge Square. There are photos of this on display.

The girls also interviewed several past Girl Scouts including Helen (Lashbrook) Olson, whose mother Edna was instrumental in Northfield during the Scouts formative years and Lola Fick, who had wonderful stories to share of her memories, especially camping. Her childhood scrapbook is on display and in there a letter from her mother that she received while at Girl Scout camp. Kelly Lynn Stanton-Nutt and two of her troop members shared stories of how they focus on helping others and have made travel one of their troop's goals. They actually made it down South to the founder's birthplace of Girl Scouts this year.

Acheson says visitors should take some time to walk through the exhibit at the Northfield Historical Society, sign your name in the book and share a memory or two. You can even vote for your favorite cookie. And when you see a local Girl Scout, make sure to say hello.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.