Chalet of the Golden Fleece Marks 60th Anniversary

Not since Edwin Barlow donated the Chalet of the Golden Fleece and its collection to the Village of New Glarus in 1955 has this museum received so much attention to preserving it for future generations.
The Chalet just marked its 60th anniversary as a New Glarus and Green County landmark and as a visitor attraction by becoming listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. It now awaits its official placement on the National Register in September. Once the private home of Barlow, the museum is a noted example of a Swiss Bernese mountain chalet, built in 1937.
Such recognition and honor has served to strengthen the resolve of the Friends of the Golden Fleece to raise funds in the coming years, not only to help restore of the museum, but also to staff the museum and care for its collection.
The Friends of the Chalet are beginning a concerted effort to raise donations though letter-writing campaigns, publicity and special events. Anyone wishing to make a donation to help insure the future of the Chalet and its collection may make their tax deductible checks to: The Chalet Fund, c/o Village of New Glarus, PO Box 399, New Glarus, WI 53574.
Friends of the Chalet have in place a 5-year plan that includes revenue and expense estimates, fundraising goals and anticipated staffing needs, which was presented to the New Glarus Parks and Recreation Committee in April. At the same meeting, the Park and Recreation Committee recommended the village, owner of the building and custodian of the collection, solicit bids for replacement of the Chalet’s roof.
Also in April, the New Glarus Finance and Personnel Committee approved up to $3,500 from general fund surplus for a professional inventory of the Chalet’s collection to be completed this summer. An up-to-date inventory will more accurately reflect the collection for insurance purposes as well as safeguard it, according to village staff. Friends of the Chalet volunteers have committed to assisting with this inventory, greatly reducing the cost typical with this type of project.
The Friends’ plan not only identifies goals and a work plan, but also improves the chances of receiving grants, according to Sandy Blum, Chairman of the Friends of the Chalet. The plan will be refined as more recommendations come and as more fundraising goals are identified. Ultimately, village board members would like to see the museum able to grow its revenues enough to offset its operational expenses.
While the village is owner of the museum and its collection, Friends of the Chalet make it their focus to provide additional funds and volunteers for staffing, operating and marketing the museum and the unusual collection Barlow created through his world travel. Since its inception in late 2012, the Friends have recruited and trained new volunteer tour guides and expanded the days of operation for the museum, offering Green County visitors more opportunity to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind experience.
Now, Friends of the Chalet seek new members and guides in effort to set regular hours of operation for the museum and to reach new supporters and new visitors. The Friends meet on the second Thursday of the month, in the New Glarus Village Hall Board Room from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the Chalet of the Golden Fleece at 618 Second St. in New Glarus, and Friends of the Chalet, to make a donation or to volunteer, contact them at NGGoldenfleece@gmail.com, Sandy Blum at (608) 938-4561 or the Village Of New Glarus Administrator at (608) 527-5971 or connect with the Friends of the Chalet on Facebook.