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A Valspar Corp. "Picture it Painted" grant funded a community effort to spiff up the oldest operating school house in the state, located in Taylors Falls. Numerous energetic and dedicated volunteers were spotted "on the hill" in September doing repairs, prep work and painting at the Town House School circa 1852.

The Valspar program selects projects that qualify for making Minnesota more beautiful, they must be volunteer-based projects and complete restoration and beautification of sites. Applications are accepted by Valspar annually, and the Taylors Falls Historical Society was successful in getting a grant to fund 19 gallons of primer and paint for the job.

Taylors Falls Historical Society partnered with the Taylors Falls Lions, who are especially thanked by society officials for their outstanding contribution. Nearly every Lions member participated in the project, and they also contributed various items that kept things running smoothly. Don Lawrence (Arbor Tree Service) donated the boom truck which was invaluable in reaching high places. Leo Nelson and wife Carol donated a picnic table and decorative pots with flowers. Lions members who also helped are Wes Herberg, Carlyl Klinke, Joe Mattson, Geral Carlson, James Goetz, Tim Layer, David McKeay, Larry Phillips, Bill Davids, John Munro, Richard Schmalz, Jonathon Weikerts, Richard Klein and Jack Brown.

Historical Society Board members mostly handled the preparation and minor repairs to the building-- notably Bruce Carlsted and Mike Bent.

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