FAIRMONT – The Martin County Historical Society (MCHS) will host its annual meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the Best Western Event Center in Fairmont.

This is the second year they will have the event there, after having it at the Red Rock Center for over 20 years. Executive Director Lenny Tvedten said the new venue is nice for both their members and the presenter.

“They do all the planning, set the tables, clean up tables and do all that,” he said. “It’s labor-saving then, and a nice venue to accomplish.”

Choosing to return was a decision made early on, as Tvedten said the event center is busy and can fill up with reservations quickly.

The event itself is for the public and members of MCHS to have an opportunity to see what they are about, according to Tvedten.

“We have made it our goal in the past, probably 10 to 15 years, to have a speaker that was a Martin County resident,” he said. “Somebody who went to school here, lived here, or has come to Martin County and made their home, who we think would be of interest to the public and our membership. To hear what he or she has done and accomplished in their lives.”

This year, the theme is the towns of Martin County.

“Each of our tables will have pictures of [area towns],” Administrative Assistant Dona Paris said. “Let’s say we’re going to do Truman, we’ll have pictures and what little artifacts we might have from the businesses that were there. It’s pretty simple.”

As for how they pick the theme each year, Paris said she and other society members will get together and look through ideas.

“See what our past themes were,” she said. “We don’t want to duplicate anything. Like last year, we did farms. We brought in our agricultural artifacts and a few pictures of the farms. This year, we’re doing the towns of Martin County.”

When picking a speaker, Tvedten said they look for people who have local ties and are unique.

“Someone that could present something interesting to our members and the public,” he said. “Something that isn’t a common profession.”

This year’s speaker is Blake R. Davis, a now-retired former Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and President of GEO Secure Services. He worked in the corrections industry for 37 years and is a graduate of Fairmont High School and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

“His experience in terms of profession is something that I certainly don’t know anything about,” Tvedten said. “I’m thinking a lot of other people don’t as well. The interesting thing, in my opinion, is for people to learn from his perspective, what he’s done and the types of experiences he’s had in that profession.”

By holding this event, Tvedten said he hopes it is a fun, interesting and educational night.

“An exposure of what we do in our organization,” he said. “It gives both our members and the public the opportunity to learn more about our organization, what we do and how we do it.”

The event is open to the public, but reservations must be made by Thursday, Sept 18. To do so, call 507-235-5178 or visit the museum. The cost is $25 per person.