Weldon Springs Foundation History

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Foreword - The foundation was established to support enhancements to the state park.  Early in the process, an old school house and town hall were removed from their original locations and moved to the south side of the park in a large open meadow.   The school house serves as a place where visitors can go back in time to see what a one room school house was like.  There are all sorts of historical photos, documents, and even examples of local wildlife displayed there.  The town hall serves as an interpretive center for the park and its natural wonders.  There are many types of preserved wildlife examples on display to support informative sessions for visitors.  

From book "History of Weldon Springs" by John R. Dawson, one can better understand not only the park's history, but how the Foundation started and evolved.  

Some excerpts from the book follow.  "Dave Herzog became Park Superintendent of Weldon Springs [State Park] early in 1977."  The Department of Conservation was coming around to the idea of having a foundation of volunteers to supplement the park in many ways.  "Rounding up such volunteers was high on Dave's priority list throughout 1979 as he approached about every group with a mailing address or a listening audience.  As Dave put it, these volunteers would hopefully include, "naturalists, educators, fishermen, campers, hikers, picnickers, handicapped, and FFA."  The possibilities included such activities as "slide shows, tours, guest speakers, pot lucks, literature campaigns, rap sessions, etc."  The original foundation was called the "Weldon Springs Advisory Board" but changed the name to "Weldon Springs Auxiliary Board" in late 1979.  They elected officers:  Chairman was Ed Wollet, Secretary Betty Kline, Historian Rodney Karr.   "The stated purposes of the group were: 1. educational; 2. be supportive of the park; 3. do volunteer work; 4. social; 5. recreational."   "Secondary objectives mentioned in the plan were, "protection of wildlife species and development of wildlife habitat for non-consumptive purposes."  "Marcia Wright became our first "summer interpreter" or park naturalist as most visitors thought of her...She was succeeded in this capacity by Susan Coontz in '81, but  unfortunately funding played out and the post was discontinued after '82."  "The Foundation concept first came under discussion at the Auxiliary Board in early 1982...At a meeting on January 20, 1983, the Auxiliary ceased to exist and the Weldon Springs Foundation was born...The president...Betty Kline,,,Yuba Honn was elected Secretary and Jim Miller Treasurer...Norma Sams succeeded Betty in 1984, followed by Carol Thompson a year later...Foundation papers were filed and recorded...May 19,1983."  

"The Union Schoolhouse was built around 1865...and donated in 1986...moving...1987."  "The large school bell in the front yard is from the old schoolhouse in the village of DeWitt..."  "...major happening of 1995 was the donation of the Texas Township Building..."  "Carol Thompson...title of Natural Resources Coordinator."  Sadly, both Dave and Carol have passed.