Skip and Ellen Honsperger present a donation to the Ottawa County Museum on July 3. From left are Ottawa County Museum Treasurer Doug Huber, Ottawa County Museum Curator Peggy Debien, Skip Honsperger and Ellen Honsperger. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Skip and Ellen Honsperger believe so firmly in the importance of preserving history that they continually make financial investments into local museums. They are longtime supporters of the Ottawa County Museum and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. On July 2, they made their most recent investment when they presented a $2,000 unrestricted donation to the Ottawa County Museum.

“I think it’s important to preserve history. We can’t forget the past,” Ellen said. “We don’t want to lose all that information.”

Ellen has served as the treasurer of the Sandusky County Historical Society for 11 years, and she met Ottawa County Museum Curator Peggy Debien through their membership in the Gold Diggers Investment Club. Skip is an Ottawa County native, so it made sense to support the Ottawa County Museum. They have made several donations.

The Honspergers chose to place no restrictions on the July 2 donation so it could be used for any need, including operating expenses. Grants often fund specific projects at the museum but rarely cover the costs of operations.

“Most museums need unrestricted donations to help pay for operations,” Ellen said.

The Honspergers also make donations when they identify a specific need. They funded an elevator at the Hayes Museum after Skip realized that people in wheelchairs didn’t have access to the weapons room. Skip is a retired Ross High School industrial arts teacher, and each year, the Honspergers sponsor trips to the Hayes Museum for all Fremont City Schools fourth graders.

“You’d be surprised how many kids have never been to a museum,” Skip said.

Skip’s family has lived in Ottawa County since his grandfather moved to Gypsum, so preserving local history is important to him.

“He moved to Gypsum, probably before World War I, maybe around 1910,” Skip said. “My grandma was his next-door neighbor.”

Debien said the museum often has visitors who stop by to find connections to their families.

“People often ask about something their family donated,” she said.

Unfortunately, those items are often in storage. The museum’s current building at 126 W. Third St. in Port Clinton is too small to display the museum’s entire collection. The museum board is currently looking for a new building so it can better preserve and display Ottawa County artifacts.

Debien said the Honspergers’ donation was a response to the museum’s membership drive, which began in May. She is very grateful for the Honspergers’ donation and for all the people who give so generously to support the museum.

For more information on the Ottawa County Museum, visit the “The Ottawa County Museum” Facebook page or call 419-732-2237.