As the summer is coming to a close with the start of August, I feel very blessed to have been able to work in Arnold with Sandy at the AEDC for the past few months. This summer seems have to flown by, and I’m so excited that I was able to complete three applications during this time. My project consisted of researching historical buildings in Arnold to complete an application that was then sent to the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office for review. If the application is approved, then the building is eligible for a tax incentive when renovations worth 25 percent of the original value are completed. My project was originally meant to help with obtaining grant money for a youth center in Arnold, and I hope that the buildings that I researched, as well as others that will be done in the near future, will be able to take advantage of the possible grant money and the tax incentive.
The first building I researched was the Finch Memorial Library. I learned the most about Arnold’s history while researching the library, and I was able to connect names that I had known from my previous summers of work to this project. The second building was the Rialto Theater. The theater had an incredible amount of history, and it was interesting to be able to hear the stories that my parents and their friends had told about the building and relate them to the research. The theater is a relatively new building, so many of the historical facts that I learned will help me understand the town and the people who were involved. Just yesterday, I heard my grandmother talking about one of the previous owners of the theater and it was a good feeling to be able to connect with her over history. The third building I filled out an application for was the Center School, which was moved to Arnold to be used as a museum for the many previous schools around the area. The work that has been put into the schoolhouse is absolutely incredible, and I hope to see it when it’s finished.
This summer has been a learning experience about Arnold, about the people who helped shape it into the town it is today, and about myself. I was able to create floor plans and site maps, which made me realize just how much I like drafting. I hope to use this knowledge after I graduate in May. It has opened an entirely new door to the future for me and I’m excited to see where it leads. Working with the people of the community and Sandy was another great experience and way for me to become closer rooted to the community. This internship was so beneficial to me, and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity.
