LIBERTY — National and international magazines have extolled the virtues of grandparents and grandchildren volunteering together.  In Forbes magazine, Jenny Friedman, executive director of the national nonprofit “Doing Good Together”, which promotes family volunteering and service, said, “Volunteering makes you healthier mentally and physically. It’s a way to pass on the values that matter to people the most, a meaningful way to share time together — plus it’s fun!”

Paula Cooley and her grandson, Huntley Harken, 13, a seventh grader at Oakhill Day School, have been treasuring their time spent at the Clay County Museum and Historical Society, at 14 North Main Street.

Cooley has been on the board of the Clay County Museum after a friend brought her in to volunteer a few years ago.  After listening to his grandmother talk about her experiences, Harken then thought it might be cool to volunteer at the museum, too.

“I needed some service hours in sixth grade,” he said.  “I started doing some exhibit cleaning and making signage.  I’ve even been able to help change the window displays.”  He’s logged more than three dozen hours of service.  Harken said he likes learning about history.  “I get to look closely at old artifacts,” he said.  “Volunteering gives me the chance to hold the old things, to feel their weight and their texture.  I like to think about the stories of the people who may have used the various things here.”

Cooley said she likes the variety of uniforms that are found around the museum, especially the military ones because she’s curious about who wore them.  “Being with my grandson has been a lot of fun,” she said.  “I love having him come along and help out.”
 
While at the museum, Harken discovered the air conditioners had stopped working during the summer. Harken sent out an appeal on behalf of the museum, asking the community to raise funds to replace the air conditioners. This is another form of volunteering the grandmother and grandson are doing at the museum on the Historic Downtown Liberty Square.

“What happens at the museum is done by volunteers and is run by volunteers,” Cooley said.  “We are guessing that replacing the (HVAC system) will require a crane.”  By early September, collections for the needed repairs were around $3,000.

“I plan to keep volunteering,” Harken said. “I want to be at events on the Historic Liberty Square, so I am available to share what I gain.”  Cooley said being with her grandson has brought them even closer together.  “I love having him with me at the museum,” she said.  “It has given us more time together,” Harken said.  “I like to have many things to do.”

Harken is also involved with theater at school, dance at the Conservatory of Dance Education [CODE] and soccer in Gladstone. He also golfs. “However, my new love of history comes from retired social studies teacher George Ferris,” he said.  “I liked his class and now that I am working at the museum, I am around so much more history.  I want people to come and see the Museum.”
 

Liberty Courier Tribune October 6, 2022
Southeast Editor Kellie Houx can be reached at kellie.houx@mycouriertribune.com or (816) 389-6630