CURIOUS?

Sanford Museum Association
The Sanford Museum Association is an organization of volunteers who contribute
time and money to enrich the offerings of the Sanford Museum and Planetarium.Working in cooperation with museum staff, the association hosts exhibits, lectures,
and demonstrations, sponsors programs of research, and purchases museum
equipment and library books. The association also sponsors several programs each year.

To find out about becoming a Sanford Museum Association member, E-mail us at
sanfordmuseum@sanfordmuseum.org

Sanford Museum Association Programs for 2024 include:

January 14, 2:00 PM

Andy’s Adventures in Cape Town, South Africa – Presented by Andy Linn

Andy and his wife, Pamela visited Cape Town, South Africa. Come and enjoy Andy’s week of discovery in and around Cape Town.  

February 11, 2:00 PM

Using solar energy and organic farming to mitigate climate change 

Presented by Paul Mugge

Paul is an organic farmer from Sutherland. He uses an 18kw PV array and other solar systems to reduce energy purchases. He also uses organic practices to reduce fossil fuel use and sequester carbon in the soil.

March 10, 2:00 PM

Cherokee Schools Robotics 

Presented by Robotics Team Members

Cherokee Schools offers FTC Robotics for high school students and Lego League for Middle School students.  Learn more about both programs and their competitions and see a demonstration with their robots.

April 21, 2:00 PM

Iowa’s Underground Railroad 

Presented by Barry Jurgensen, Midwest Regional Manager, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom 

The Network to Freedom’s mission is to honor, preserve and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. Through its mission, the Network to Freedom advances the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression. Barry will share Iowa’s role in the resistance.

August 12, 9:30 PM

Perseid Meteor Shower 

Stiles River Farm and Woodland Preserve 

The Sanford Museum Association invites you to come join us for a night under a sky filled with meteors. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors an hour.

This year we will be meeting at the Stiles River Farm and Woodland Preserve south of Cherokee. We will have maps available. It should be a great location to see meteors! 

If it is clear we will be there! 

September 8, 2:00 PM

Unleashing the Potential of Edible Insects and Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Revolutionize Our Food System 

presented by Huey Boelen, CEO and Co-Founder, One Hop Shop, Ames

Learn about the remarkable world of edible insects and the pivotal role of Black Soldier Fly larvae in transforming our food systems. In this program, we'll dive into the nutritional benefits of edible insects, discover their environmental sustainability, and learn about the incredible food waste reduction capabilities of Black Soldier Fly larvae. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and solutions in this innovative field, leaving with the knowledge and inspiration to be a part of the positive change in our food system. Join us on this journey towards a more sustainable and waste-conscious future. 

October 6, 2:00 PM

Whitetail: Treasure, Trophy or Trouble? Presented by Larry Stone 

Humanities Iowa Program
Although Iowa’s original deer herd vanished in the face of white settlement, the animals rebounded during the 20th century to the point of overpopulation. Adapted from a 2003 book written for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, “Whitetail” traces that history. It’s a story with broad appeal to farmers, hunters, motorists and wildlife watchers—anyone whose life has been affected by Iowa deer.

November 10, 2:00 PM

Dugout Days: How Early Pioneers Carved Out a Life in Sac County 

Presented by Sanford Museum Archaeologist, Mark Anderson and Darcy Maulsby, Iowa’s Storyteller from Lake City

Location, location, location. It was just as important to early Iowans as it is in real estate today. It certainly influenced the remarkable hidden history tucked away in Sac County in the timber just north of Highway 20 along the North Raccoon River. Discover why this site, which includes traces of Native American settlement 2,000 years ago, became a prime spot for pioneer settlers to build a farmstead (with a dugout house and barns) in the 1850s. Archaeologist Mark Anderson and Darcy Maulsby, Iowa’s Storyteller from Lake City, will guide you on this fascinating adventure into Iowa’s past. You’ll never look at this section of Highway 20 the same again!

To find out about becoming a Sanford Museum Association member, E-mail us at
sanfordmuseum@sanfordmuseum.org