Museum receives Herman veteran’s Purple Heart, plans exhibits and events
Published 1:45 pm Monday, October 12, 2026
The Washington County Museum has received the World War II Purple Heart of William McConaughy of Herman, and an organization associated with his military unit is interested in helping with a display. Jay Schrad reported the donation during Thursday’s museum board meeting in Fort Calhoun, where members also discussed school days attendance, a new website, upcoming events and building maintenance.
Schrad said McConaughy served with the 100th Bomb Group. “His plane went down in World War II. There were 12 to 13 men. They all survived. And while they were evading capture in France, he fell off the side of a mountain,” Schrad said.
Work also has begun on a display about the Omaha Public Power District. Schrad said he has asked to host a monthly coffee group of retired OPPD employees at the museum. “We’ve gotten a lot of buzz around it already, which is great,” he said.
Donna Henton said the retirees are excited about the display. “I think that’s going to turn into really something pretty substantial,” she said.
Angela Carroll reported that the museum’s first school days event drew families from Fort Calhoun, Blair, Arlington and Omaha. Kelli Shaner said about 17 families and 45 to 50 children attended. “It was a good awareness thing,” Carroll said.
“Yeah, the kids really had a good time,” Shaner said. “And maybe since it was a success, maybe we should have another school days in the spring.” The board agreed to hold the event again next year.
Carroll said the home page and donation page of a new website, washcountymuseumne.org, could go live next week, with the full site launching Nov. 16. Donations will be accepted through PayPal, Venmo and Square, and the existing address, wcmuseum.org, will redirect to the new site. “Our goal is we have to get it out, at least a couple pages of it, so we can start our donations,” Carroll said.
A Veterans Day program organized by Carl Lorenzen is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, with refreshments provided by the board. Members tabled a Halloween event proposed by Carroll. “I think it should be tabled for this year. We’ve got a full plate,” Jane Gilbert said.
Sandy Grove said a committee is reviewing collection items staff have flagged for possible removal under the museum’s 2018 collections policy. “They don’t have any provenance,” Grove said of several items, referring to documentation of their origins and history.
Schrad said a filter system appears to have resolved dirty water in the museum’s newer restrooms after four plumbers examined the problem. “I know it’s a Band-Aid. I know it’s not the best solution, but it does get us to where we’re not having that,” he said.
Dan Hunt questioned the source of the water problem. Schrad said running a new line would be very expensive.
Schrad and Hunt also are consolidating the museum’s seven insurance policies. “The positive for that is if you did want to switch, you got everything together to keep that competitive bid on there,” Jon Stewart said.
The board accepted the resignation of member Barb Sandvold and heard that the Brown House roof is complete, with painting planned for spring. A complete board handbook containing the new bylaws and strategic plan will be printed for members.
Members present were Shaner, Schrad, Stewart, Grove, Gilbert, Henton, Carroll, Joe Burns and Hunt. Jane Heinrich and Lorenzen were absent.
The museum guild will participate in Christmas in Calhoun on Dec. 12. The next board meeting is at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the museum.
