Geodes, Fossils and Bones’

Carroll History

Museum spotlighting ‘Geodes, Fossils and Bones’

Daily Times Herald staff

June 9, 2015

The new “Under the Chandelier” attraction at Carroll County Historical Society Museum in Carroll this week introduces a “Geodes, Fossils and Bones” display.

The display includes shells, fossils of prehistoric plants, geodes — one is “unfilled” — and a few dinosaur bones.

The display is a preview to related items that can be found in the museum’s west room upstairs.

The Historical Society recently received this acquisition, donated by geologist Ron Genter, who is a Glidden High School graduate.  The Historical Society plans to use these shells, fossils, crystals, bones and other items as the basis for an expanded “science center” in its one-room schoolhouse in Graham Park.

“The Historical Society believes this exhibit will be of special interest to young people who like science,” said Historical Society President Barb Hackfort.

After graduation at Glidden, Genter earned a bachelor of science degree with major in geology and minors in math and physics at Iowa State University. After two years in the Navy, he went to work for Chevron Corp. as an exploration geologist. He was with Chevron for 36 years, completing his career managing all geophysical operations in west Texas and New Mexico.

A few years ago he gave the museum his family’s collection of  Indian artifacts, including arrowheads, spearheads, knives, tomahawks and tools. The family once farmed land in the southern Pleasant Valley Township — south of Swan Lake — where there were Indian campgrounds near the area of Carrollton.  The family later moved to a farm north of Glidden.

“Geodes, Fossils and Bones” will be displayed until June 19.

The Historical Society began the “Under the Chandelier” attraction this summer, displaying a number of items from the museum, directing visitors to the full collection. The “Under the Chandelier” theme will be changed every couple of weeks.

The museum, northwest corner of Highway 30 and Court Street, is open from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday through the summer. Admission is free; free-will donations are welcomed.

In addition to the museum in town, the Historical Society also has its Farmstead Barn Museum on the east side of Swan Lake State Park — open daily for self-guided tours — and a country schoolhouse and trapper’s log cabin in Graham Park — tours can be arranged by phoning 792-1512.