The Britt Community Historical Society (BCHS) was organized by the founding members in October 2006. Effective in May 2007, it became a fully legalized Chapter 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation in the State of Minnesota.
The BCHS's mission is to research, develop & preserve the historical past of the Britt Community and extend the community's unique value into the future for the benefit of the community as a whole. The BCHS's functions will encompass both historical and social activities. The 2007 - 2008 Founding Officers & Board of Directors were:
President: Ralph Phenning Vice President: Harlan Pernu, Sr. Treasure: Trish Egan Secretary: Jessica Panula Board Members: Charlotte Haavisto Janet Heglund Steve Johnson Mary Kesanen Charlene Luoma Lauren Nelson Jody Phenning
Picture Back Row (L-R):Janet Heglund, Jody Phenning, Carlene Luoma, Mary Kesanen, Ralph Phenning & Charlotte Haavisto. Front Row (L-R): Lauren Nelson, Jessica Panula, Tish Eagan & Steve Johnson. Not Pictured: Harlan Pernu Sr. Founding President Ralph Phenning stated in the first BCHS Newsletter, issued the Summer of 2008:
"The Britt Community Historical Society 9BCHS) was founded and legally organized in May 2007 by 52 family entities totaling 94 individuals. The function of this organization is both historical and social, such that it preserves and protects the historical value of the Britt Community as a whole, and also promotes the value of the Britt Community as a whole through events and publications."
"The Britt Community is a geographic area of both organized and unorganized townships providing a diverse historical past, and likely, providing a very interesting and challenging historical future. The BCHS therefore, provides a viable organization for the voices of all the past, present and future interests of the Britt Community to be expressed and promoted. Such an organization, within the Britt Community, does not exist elsewhere today."
"The Britt Community Club, organized in 1931, and abandoned in the early 1960's, was the last such organization. Its last published historical information was in 1949, almost 60 years ago (as of 2010). Since then, little other information has been gathered, developed, nor documented and promoted as regards to the Britt Community."
The Britt Community, once again, has a voice, so please stand up and join this Society and make your contribution to it's future. The BCHS thanks you for your support and look forward to a historical future!! 2010 - 2011 Officers & Board of Directors President: Howard Emery Vice President: Virginia McBride Treasurer: Jean Roivanen Secretary: Jessica Panula Board Members: Mary Kesanen Harlan Pernu Sr. Jody Anderson Ross Phenning Kathy Bukovac Sandnas Darrel Swenson Roger Woods