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Murray County Historical Society
The Murray County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of Murray County’s history. The Murray County Historical Society is funded by support from its members, donations from museum visitors, contributions from the city of Slayton and local groups, and the support of the Murray County Board of Commissioners.
Museum Site Coordinator/Collections Manager
Murray County is taking applications for a Part-time Museum Site Coordinator/Collections Manager. This position is 30 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday with some Saturdays required. Position open until filled, first review of applications will be June 08, 2018.
This position assists the Museum Coordinator in the everyday work at the Historic Museum-Dinehart/Holt House. This position will assist at the End-O-Line Museum, as needed. The purpose of the position is to maintain material culture and provide access to the county’s history through research, exhibits, events, programming, and tours.
Duties include but not limited to:
- Curation of collections and exhibits
- Administrative services
- Prepare programming and plan events
- Assist Museum Coordinator
Minimum Qualifications: Minimum of a High School diploma/GED and one-year work experience in a similar institution. Valid MN Driver’s License. Experience working with museum collections and collections software and skilled in public speaking.
For a detailed listing of duties and qualifications see job description.
Salary: $14.91 – $19.38 per hour
Contact: Murray County Coordinator’s Office, position open until filled, first review of applications will be June 08, 2018.
Dinehart-Holt House Historic Structure Report
The Murray County Historical Society retained LHB to provide a Historic Structure Report for the Dinehart-Holt House in Slayton, Minnesota. The intent of this summary is to provide an overview of the report, which documents the historical background of the house, provides a thorough evaluation of its existing conditions, and makes recommendations for repairs. The report must be reviewed in its entirety for a complete understanding of our conclusions and recommendations.
The Dinehart-Holt House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as locally significant for its association with Christopher and Flora Dinehart as well as for its architecture. It was designed by Frank Thayer, a Minnesota pioneer and self-taught architect whose work contributed to the development of many communities in southern Minnesota. The late Victorian home is a two-story wood-framed structure combining the irregular forms and asymmetrical facades of the Queen Anne style with raised stick work bands of the Stick Style. The house was, and continues to be, conspicuous within the region for its size and relatively expensive features and finishes.
Pioneers of Murray County and Slayton Township, the Dineharts contributed to the county’s infrastructure, development of the agricultural economy, and promoted education and social welfare. Their daughter, Florence and her husband Harvey S. Holt, eventually settled in Slayton, moving in with Christopher and Flora. After Christopher’s death, his son-in-law took over all responsibilities of the State Bank of Slayton that Mr. Dinehart founded, as well as an estate of over 3,000 acres of farmland. The Holt family continued to reside in the home and eventually passed the property on to their children. Their son, John Holt, lived in the home until his death in 1993. Despite the Holt family’s long association with the house, its significance is due to the influence and contributions of Christopher and Flora. Therefore, the Period of Significance is from the home’s construction in 1891 up until Christopher’s death in 1927.
This publication was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Historic Resources Advisory Committee.