Historical Society takes receipt of major cash gift

By Brandi Makuski

The Portage County Historical Society has received one of its largest cash donations ever.

The organization was gifted $30,000 in the will of Margaret Myhra, who donated the money from her estate when she died last November at the age of 91.

Margaret Myhra was the wife of the former Stevens Point Postmaster Norman Myhra, who died in 2009.

Myhra was involved in a number of local service organizations and previously made donations of military and veteran-related documents belonging to her husband.

“It’s the second-largest [donation] we’ve ever received,” said PCHS President Tim Siebert, adding Myhra’s will specifies the funds have to go into the organization’s Community Fund. The organization will be able to draw funds from the interest earned in the account for its ongoing projects.

Current projects include repairs to the roof and steeple the church museum, and the roof of the train depot building, both located in Heritage Park in Plover.

The funds will be used for public education, Siebert said.

The Portage County Historical Society operates four sites in Portage Co.: The Beth Israel Synagogue, Fire House #2, Nelsonville Rising Star Mill and Heritage Park.

“We could not exist in the capacity we do without the generosity of people like Mrs. Myhra,” Siebert said. “It is an honor to accept her thoughtful donation to the Portage County Historical Society continuing her philanthropic legacy.”

For more information on the Portage Co. Historical Society click here.