Funding for La Crosse history museum gets more support

If La Crosse does build a new museum about the area’s history, planners should remember that the history doesn’t start with Nathan Myrick, and doesn’t include only white people. 

Cultural diversity is being sought by some supporters of the museum concept, introduced in late 2017. 

Speaking to the city planning commission Monday night, Tracy Littlejohn of the county historical society board called for diversity in what one would find at such a museum.

“In order for La Crosse to move forward, it has to remember the people who were here first, and all of the people that have been here,” Littlejohn said, referring to indigenous people, African-Americans and Hmong immigrants.

Since it would be considered a museum for the entire county, La Crosse County Historical Society director Peggy Derrick said planners will ask the county to provide funding for the project, as well.

As for location, Derrick said there’s one logical choice.

“The feeling is that the location is going to be in the city of La Crosse, even though this is going to be … a great benefit to the entire area,” Derrick said.

The planning commission hearing took place for the second consecutive Monday on the 2022 capital improvement projects. Two more hearings on the capital budget are still scheduled, and the final vote on spending doesn’t happen until November.