A deep affection for Grinnell – a retirement relocation, not their home town - prompted Mary and Russ Schuchmann to set up an endowment for the Grinnell Historical Museum through the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation.

In July 2010, the Schuchmanns contributed $10,000 to create the Grinnell Historical Museum Endowment Fund.  After the first year, income from the endowment will go to the museum to be used for needs identified by museum’s board of directors.

“We have lived several different places in our adult, working lives,” Mary says. “When we retired in 2001, we chose to make Grinnell our home. It was definitely the right decision. We love the mix of small-town Iowa with the world view provided by Grinnell College.”

In the nearly 10 years they have lived in Grinnell, the Schuchmanns have grown to appreciate the history that shaped the community. “We set up the endowment because we wanted to do something to help preserve that heritage,” Mary says,

Says Russ:  “While serving several years on the museum board I have become aware of the ongoing need for support both to maintain the building and to protect the collection.  I have also been deeply impressed by the dedication of board members who have educated themselves in museum technology and give freely of their time and talent to create a first-class museum while using museum assets wisely.”

The Schuchmanns are native Iowans who lived in Wisconsin for nearly 40 years. Mary was a community newspaper reporter and editor. Russ worked as an engineer, first for General Motors, then for Eaton Corporation.

Mary was active in historic preservation efforts in Racine and Milwaukee. In Grinnell, she edited the city’s sesquicentennial booklet and helped organize two neighborhood tours of historic homes.

The couple believe strongly in doing all they can to support Grinnell, including participating in the community foundation. “We have a will and have made decisions on how our estate will be used.” Mary says. “We are also choosing to make some major financial gifts during our lifetime so that we can respond to needs as we see them.”

With their gift to the community foundation, the Schuchmanns hope that others who share their interest in preserving Grinnell’s history will consider adding to the Grinnell Historical Museum Endowment Fund.