Taylor was on hand to meet with the society members, participate in the society's elections. In parting congratulations to the emerging society, Taylor told the members that he should be called "Jim."

The society had expected to spend several years collecting for a museum, but when James Taylor of Mequon was visiting Betty Mindemann, and was told of the new society he came forward with $100,000 from the family foundation.

The society used the money to purchase the old Northwestern Railroad Depot, a piece of the community history in its own right, as the museum to house a collection of Sussex, Lisbon and Lannon collectibles. A small part of the already assembled collections will also include historical items from Lake Five and Colgate.

Sussex Fire Chief Colin "Corky" Curtis kicked off Wednesday night's festivities with a 20-minute computer-generated slide program of the Sussex Fire Department.

There was a series of artifacts on display, the most recent accepted was a 1939-46 baseball uniform for the then Sussex men's Land O' Rivers baseball team worn by the late Dave Johns, donated by his sister, Gloria Johns Donald.

In the election for officers there was some shuffling, and some retention. Henry Carlson was re-elected as president.

Meanwhile Betty Mindemann stepped down as vice president, but will concentrate on being the curator of the James Taylor collection, which will form half of the museum. The new vice president will be Lisbon resident Mike Reilly.

Sue Haasch became secretary with the former secretary Sherree Schweiger becoming a director. Joanne Smith was retained as treasurer. Roger Johnson was elected as a director.

Members voted for the new name of the quarterly news­letter by dropping ballots into a sealed box.  Members were asked to pick from the following suggestions: "The Diggings," "The Artifacts," "Limestone Messenger," "The Weavings," and "Homestead."

The winning name will not be released until the June newsletter goes out.

Some projects planned for 2003 include painting the interior of the depot, refurbishing the outside, landscaping the front step and the removal of the box elder jungle between the back end of the lot and the adjacent Bug Line Trail county park.

The society will be participating in the late August Old Engine Show flea market, and registering with Pick 'n Save to be part of its charity donation program.

The SLAHS will also have a float in the Lions Daze Parade and will give some walking tours of historic Sussex.

 At Christmas time it is hoped that a program for visiting historic homes in the village can be arranged.

Approximately 40 society members attended the first meeting with 30 being charter members. About 10 new members were signed up during and after the meeting.

SLAHS was officially formed in March 2002.

New membership brochures can be obtained at the local library or the Sussex Village Hall. In its first year  over 70 charter members joined the SLAHS.