Call us Today 320-243-7547 or Email paynesvillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Corporate Sponsors
Why Sponsor
Help us bring local history to life and preserve our community’s stories for future generations. As a business sponsor, your contribution will support the expansion of the museum, the creation of new exhibits, and initiatives to make Paynesville area heritage accessible to the public. Together, we can make history! Your support as a business sponsor is essential to the expansion of our museum, the development of compelling exhibits, and the preservation of Paynesville's heritage for public accessibility.
Why Become a Business Sponsor?
Connect with the Community: Foster community growth, engagement and preserving the area’s rich heritage.
Unique Opportunities: Enjoy exclusive benefits and recognition only available to sponsors.
Tax Deductible: As a 501(c)(3) organization, your contributions are tax-deductible.
We are honored to have you as a sponsor in this important work. We appreciate your sponsorship, which will be allocated to further advance our mission. If you have not already, we invite you to visit the museum soon and see firsthand the impact of sponsorship.
With sincere appreciation,
Board of Directors: Reed Ringstad, President; Doris Wendlandt, Vice President; Karen Neu, Secretary; Jean Soine, Treasurer; Steve Brown, Steve Peterson, Sara Turrell, Grant Fuchs, Gretchen O’Fallon, Jerald Quarfot, Linda Hoeft
Community Foundation & Other Sponsorships
GENERAL FUND
Agricultural Building
Agricultural Building
These funds support staff wages, utilities, upkeep and maintenance, collection preservation, and the day to day operations of the museum.
Agricultural Building
Agricultural Building
Agricultural Building
These funds will be used to build an additional building for our agricultural and farming equipment.
Parking Lot Paving
Agricultural Building
Parking Lot Paving
These Funds will be used to pave our parking lot.
Camper Sponsor
Agricultural Building
Parking Lot Paving
This provides additional scholarships for campers. It costs $160 per camp per camp. You can sponsor a camper and increase the number of scholarships available that allow campers to attend for Free.
Direct to Paynesville Historical Society
One Time Donations
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.
Support Paynesville Historical Society & Museum's Mission
About Us
About the Paynesville Historical Society
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit preserving and sharing the history of Paynesville and Central Minnesota through hands-on, youth-focused education. The Society serves a regional audience, with over 60% of participants coming from outside Paynesville.
Community Impact & Youth Programs
A key educational resource for Central Minnesota youth, the Society’s Kids History Camp reaches nearly 200 children each summer through interactive stations that build confidence, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and connections to local history.
Highlights
2025 Highlights
- Served 199 youth from 32 cities through 36 hands-on camp stations
- Offered nine youth and family educational classes
- Hosted collaborative community events promoting youth learning
2026 Programs & Projects
- 3rd Annual Kids History Camp
- Six youth-focused classes in the first quarter
- Timeline Exhibit redesign for improved accessibility
- Expanded speakers and hands-on family programs
Impact
Capacity, Reach & Funding Impact
Welcoming 3,000+ visitors annually, the Society operates a public historic campus and is recognized as a leading small-town historical society in Minnesota. Funding supports inclusive youth education, community engagement, and preservation of local history for future generations.
Reach & Impact
PHS serves 3,000+ visitors annually on a public historic campus and is recognized as a leading small-town historical society.
Funding Impact
2026 sponsorship support will expand educational programming, enhance family-friendly facilities, and sustain high-quality learning experiences. Sponsors receive recognition across events, programs, and digital platforms while supporting education and local heritage.
Youth
Camp Impact & Vision
Kids History Camp helps children grow in confidence, independence, and essential life skills through technology-free, hands-on learning. By actively doing history—not just hearing about it—campers build problem-solving skills, teamwork, creativity, and resilience while developing a deeper connection to their community and heritage.
Who We Serve
In 2025, Kids History Camp served 199 children from 32 cities and 18 schools across Central Minnesota. Campers represented a wide range of educational backgrounds—public, homeschool, and parochial—and included children with special, medical, and dietary needs. This inclusive approach ensures every child has the opportunity to learn, belong, and succeed.
• 65 campers per session across three full-day camps
• 36% of campers required special, medical, or food accommodations
• 38% of campers were age 11+, supporting pre-teen skill development
Camp
How Kids Learn & Grow
Children rotated through hands-on learning stations designed to develop confidence, cooperation, and real-world skills. Activities such as archery, sewing, animal care, candle making, woodworking, gardening, fishing, and square dancing encouraged focus, patience, communication, and creativity. Technology-free environments allowed campers to fully engage, build friendships, and experience learning through movement and teamwork.
Community & Mentorship Impact
More than 50 volunteers per camp, ranging in age from 16 to 85, worked alongside campers—modeling teamwork, leadership, and community involvement. Intergenerational learning helped children feel supported, valued, and inspired by positive role models from across Central Minnesota.
Voices of Impact
“They absolutely loved the whole day! Everything was amazing!”
“Second year attending and they already asked to go again next year.”
“It’s nice to see seniors involved alongside youth.”
Support Impact
Support for the Paynesville Historical Society directly impacts children by sustaining Kids History Camp—an inclusive, hands-on educational experience that builds confidence, life skills, and a lifelong appreciation for learning and community. Supporting the Paynesville Historical Society helps ensure this transformative opportunity continues for Central Minnesota kids.
Beginning in 2026, all sponsors—including Kids History Camp sponsors—will receive full sponsorship benefits and dual recognition supporting both the Paynesville Historical Society Museum and Kids History Camp, providing greater value and visibility for supporters.