By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph Museums is inviting residents of St. Joseph to celebrate the legacy of one of its former directors.
The museum will celebrate the achievements of Richard Nolf on Saturday at the Wyeth-Tootle mansion.
Executive Director Sara Wilson says Richard, or as she calls him Rich, studied Museum Studies in Iowa, and that many of those stuffed animals you might have seen in St. Joe museums, those were Rich's ideas.
"The museum studies program at the time was highly focused on natural history, specifically they were doing a lot with taxidermized animals and research on the biological diversity of the area," Wilson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, when he came to St. Joseph, that had kind of been his original focus."
Wilson says Richar helped develop the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, and also had a big part in putting St. Joseph museums on the map.
"He helped the museum earn American Alliance of Museums accreditation, we were one of the first museums in the country, in 1972, that was accredited by the national museum accreditation organization, and he helped maintain that accreditation throughout his leadership at the St. Joseph Museum," Wilson says. "So, he did a lot, he did a lot for us."
Wilson says the celebration on Saturday will give residents the chance to talk to Richard, and thank him for everything he has done for the city.
Wilson says the idea of celebrating Rich has been in the works for some time, and they thought now was the perfect time.
"We just thought now is a really good time, we're kind of getting out of COVID, people are able to travel, a lot of Rich's family is across the country, so we wanted them to be able to be here," Wilson explains. "So, we set a date that worked for all of them, so he has family coming in from out of town, and of course former staff members and board members of the museum will be there to celebrate him, so we said now's a good time."
The celebration will feature many former employees, family members, and friends applauding Rich for his accomplishments. A painting will also be revealed that will hang at the Wyeth-Tootle mansion.
The celebration will take place at the mansion on Saturday, starting at 4pm. You can find more information HERE.
