Fremont County Museum / Rodeo Complex
Help Us Tell A Story...
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A partnership between the Rodeo Organization, Legion Auxiliary and Fremont County Historical Museum with the Sidney Chamber of Commerce assisting.
What We Are Creating:
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Expanding the Fremont County Historical Society Complex to include a building to house the Fremont County Rodeo Collection.
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A New building to house a Rodeo collection the represents 84 years of excitement and memories.
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Two exhibit halls, each 4,000 square foot. One will house the Rodeo collection.
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A large genealogy room to increase research capacity and to help the Society respond to the numerous requests from families seeking information about their roots in Fremont County.
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A gift shop that will also sell Rodeo tickets.
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Addition of a large acclimatized area for storage of collection items when not on display.
Why:
We are preserving the rich history of the Sidney Rodeo and Fremont County from it's beginning to present times. There are many stories to be told.
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How the Old Soldiers Reunion became the Rodeo.
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How the Rodeo began with a circle of cars for the grandstand. The first rodeo cowboys, Henry and Earl Tackett and Art Fritcher went to Wyoming to get horses.
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Visits from World Champion Cowboys - including Jim Shoulders, Ty Murray and Casey Tibbs.
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World War II there was no Rodeo but the stock went to Fort Riley Kansas for the troops to ride and remember home.
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Fremont County has felt the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.
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Fremont County has been part of two different states.
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Helped slaves flee through the Underground Railroad.
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Home to French Canadian trappers who opened the West.
All these stories need to be preserved to inform future generations of their past.
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Help Us Build By Donating to the Project
The goal is to raise $200,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to be used to leverage grant monies.
All contributions regardless of size will be accepted and appreciated.
Join the"$500 Club". Each member or group belonging to the club will have contributed $500 in cash. Families can also come together and donate $500 to honor a specific family member.
The "$500 Club" Members will be:
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Listed on a plaque at the entrance of the Rodeo / Museum
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Invited to a pre-grand opening party
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Given the opportunity for discounted tickets to special events sponsored by the Historical Society
Buy a brick to honor a volunteer
An outdoor display will house bricks that are purchased to honor volunteers who have helped with the Rodeo and the Historical Society. Bricks will cost $100. The name of a volunteer will be engraved on each one.
How to Contribute
Donation forms are available at many Sidney businesses. Or send donations or enquires to:
Fremont County Historical Society
P.O. Box 671
Sidney, Iowa 51652
Do You Have Memorabilia to Donate to Our Collection?
Many families have indicated an interest in providing memorabilia for the Rodeo Display. Until the building is completed with proper storage, the Society is not accepting items. A museum designer will be hired to develop the displays for the exhibits. This person needs to know what is available for display.
If you would like to start the process to donate family memorabilia, contact the Society by mailing a note to:
Fremont County Historical Society
P.O. Box 671
Sidney, Iowa 51652
You will be sent a form to complete and return to FCHS.
