IT'S SNOW TIME! The Waldemar Ager House in Eau Claire.

Benjamin Franklin and some of his friends created the first library in America in 1731, when Franklin was 25 years old. In 1994, a small group in Eau Claire formed the Waldemar Ager Association. Almost immediately, members of the association started collecting books for a library. In 2024, the library has 1,600 catalogued works on the second floor of the Ager Museum (514 W. Madison St.). The goal was to foster the legacy of Norwegian immigrant Waldemar Ager, a journalist, businessman, civic leader, and author of novels and short stories.

The annual Advent at the Ager celebration features seasonal specialties.

Space for the collection to grow is very limited (a few feet of shelf space here and there). But we continue to receive new items. Books are stacked on our worktable, and there are boxes of donations on the floor, waiting to be catalogued.

This long introduction is to say that the association – of which this writer is a member – is raising money to build a heritage center that will include space for meetings, exhibits, and a larger library.

We are doing fundraisers of all kinds. We hope the community will help support the work of the association and the construction of a building for the library and other activities by buying local art on Nov. 30.

ART SALE

On Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10am to 5pm, artists Mary Elworthy and Susan Phelps Pearson will be selling original art: paintings, prints, photos, and books. Elworthy and Pearson have shown their work often in the area and elsewhere. Both were included in “The Art of Water” at the L.E. Philliips Memorial Public Library in January and February of this year.

Ivar Lunde Jr. – musician, composer, producer, and audio engineer – will sell CDs of his work and his collaborations with other musicians.

Thirty percent of sales goes to the capital campaign for the new building.

We hope you will buy local art. Your support will help the Ager Association contribute to the history and culture of Eau Claire. Even if you come just to browse, you will enjoy your visit to a classy but modest, late 19th century Eau Claire home, now Ager’s museum. The event is free. All are welcome.

But wait, there’s more.

ADVENT AT THE AGER

On Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon to 4 pm, the association will host its annual holiday celebration. This event is free. All are welcome. Take a selfie in front of the Ager Christmas tree. Try various Scandinavian foods: meatballs, herring, cheeses, crackers, specialty baked goods, cookies, and more. Enjoy a cello duet at 1:30pm and again at 3pm. There will be a sing-along (carols, mostly) at 2pm. Between 1 and 3pm, there will be crafts and games for children in the Ager basement. Bring your friends. Try the food. Stay for the music.

Learn more about the Waldemar Ager Association at agerhouse.org.