Essay | Preserving the Past, Honoring the Present

Houston Area Museum Heritage Award recognizes first recipient

By Michelle Hoskins, February 17, 2026

Inside a room filled with framed sports memorabilia, an older man wearing glasses and a maroon baseball cap sits facing the camera while holding a framed certificate and a small glass award. The certificate reads “Heritage Award.” A woman with shoulder-length wavy blond hair stands beside him, leaning in and smiling toward the camera with one hand resting near his shoulder. Behind them are framed photos, vintage signs, and a window, creating a warm, personal setting that reflects community history and recognition.

Houston Area Museum Inaugural Heritage Award recipient Ron Carrier pictured with Museum board member Michelle Hoskins. The award was presented to Ron in September 2025. (Submitted photo)

HOUSTON, MINN. — While we continue to make our way through winter, the Houston Area Museum is already looking forward to celebrating its anniversary this spring. May 2026 marks the museum’s third anniversary and, among other things, acknowledgment of another Heritage Award recipient.

The Museum took a meaningful new step this past fall in honoring its community’s history with its first-ever Heritage Award to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to preserving, celebrating, and promoting the history of the Houston area.

This award recognizes those whose long-standing contributions reflect deep community pride, dedication to heritage, and support of the Houston Area Museum and its mission.

As a founding board member, this initiative is especially close to my heart because it reflects not only our mission as a museum, but our gratitude to those who have quietly and faithfully preserved Houston’s story for generations.

A long, weathered wooden restaurant sign painted white with red and blue lettering reads “Village Inn — Home of the Burgomaster — Houston.” The sign sits inside a glass display case. Above it, several old wooden yardsticks and measuring rulers with faded business advertisements are arranged horizontally, showing age and wear. The scene conveys a nostalgic collection of local business artifacts preserved in a museum display.

A sampling of Ron Carrier’s business memorabilia on display at the Houston Area Museum. (Photo by Michelle Hoskins)

As I reflected on who should receive our inaugural award, one name immediately came to mind – Ron Carrier.

Honoring our first recipient

Ron Carrier grew up in Houston, was a graduate of Houston High School, and went on to become a local business owner, taking over and owning two well-known Houston restaurants: Benson’s Café and the Village Inn. He’s an enthusiastic collector of local memorabilia, along with a passion for collecting vintage toys.

Ron has been instrumental in helping establish and grow the Houston Area Museum from its earliest days. When the museum was just beginning, Ron generously gifted us his extensive and carefully curated collection of Houston memorabilia, providing the foundation of our artifact collection.

A glass museum display case viewed from above contains a variety of vintage advertising items and collectibles arranged in rows. Objects include framed artwork, old eyeglasses in leather cases, small figurines, printed ads, decorative plaques, and household items from earlier decades. The collection appears carefully organized to highlight everyday objects from Houston’s local businesses and community life.

A collection of Houston business advertising artifacts contributed by Ron and Kathy Carrier. (Photo by Michelle Hoskins)

What made his gift truly extraordinary was that Ron didn’t simply donate items and walk away. He personally sat down with me and took the time to go through each piece, sharing its story, origin and historical significance. As I wrote in his nomination letter to our board:

“This gift was more than a collection of artifacts; it was a gift of knowledge, context, and heart.”

I will never forget the day Ron arrived at my home with a literal carload of Houston memorabilia. As he unpacked item after item, he smiled.

“I’ve been collecting Houston memorabilia my entire life,” Ron said. “If I were at an auction bidding on a Houston item, you might as well stop bidding, because I planned on bidding until the item was mine.”

That statement perfectly captures Ron’s passion and lifelong dedication to preserving Houston’s history.

Behind glass, a display of white and blue ceramic pieces features illustrations of local church buildings. Plates, pitchers, and decorative serving pieces are arranged upright on black stands, with matching designs showing church steeples and memorial text. Reflections on the glass hint at the museum setting while the display emphasizes religious and cultural history through commemorative tableware.

Houston-area church memorabilia featured in an exhibition at the Houston Area Museum; artifacts contributed by Ron and Kathy Carrier. (Photo by Michelle Hoskins)

Because of Ron’s generosity, when the museum first opened its doors, we were able to proudly display artifacts that truly told the story of our community.

Even beyond that initial gift, Ron has continued to support the museum by donating additional items and sharing his knowledge, enriching our collection and strengthening our ability to preserve Houston’s heritage for future generations.

Ron currently resides in Rushford, Minn. with his wife Kathy. An avid sports fan, especially when it comes to high school athletics, he can often be found cheering on his kids and grandkids at games.

The purpose behind the Heritage Award

The idea for the Heritage Award came to me during an earlier visit to the La Crescent Area Historical Society Heritage Center.

While touring its museum, I had the privilege of speaking with an active board member who shared how the Center annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving their community’s history and heritage.

I remember thinking immediately: What a wonderful idea for us to implement here at the Houston Area Museum.

A museum wall display features several vintage advertising calendars and thermometers arranged vertically and symmetrically. The pieces include printed monthly calendars, illustrated scenes, and business names from Houston, Minnesota. Some calendars have flip-style numbers and date blocks. The worn paper and muted colors show their age, creating a visual timeline of local businesses through everyday promotional items.

Historic calendars, from a collection donated by Ron and Kathy Carrier, advertising various Houston businesses. (Photo by Michelle Hoskins)

Our community is rich with individuals whose passion for history, patriotism and preservation has shaped what we are able to share today. I believed it was time to formally recognize those efforts and to say thank you in a lasting, meaningful way.

Looking ahead

The Heritage Award will be presented annually and will include a personalized award, recognition on a perpetual Heritage Award plaque, and a Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Houston Area Museum. My hope is that this award becomes a lasting tradition, one that continues to celebrate those who help preserve our shared story.

If you know someone who embodies this spirit of dedication to Houston’s heritage, I encourage you to reach out to the Museum to request a Heritage Award nomination form. Our history lives on because of people like Ron and because of a community that values where it came from.

The Houston Area Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; every exhibit, artifact and story we share is made possible through the generosity and passion of our supporters.

The museum was founded in January 2023 by five friends with a shared passion for history and the Houston community. We officially opened our

doors on May 13, 2023, and looking forward to our third anniversary. We don’t currently have specific plans but we typically host an open house style event – watch our links below for details.

Exterior photo of a modern two-story museum building viewed from across the street. The structure has light-colored stucco walls, stone accents around the entrance, and large front windows that allow light into the interior. A small covered entryway extends toward the sidewalk, and the building sits along a quiet street, presenting a clean, welcoming community landmark.

Located at 109 West Maple Street in Houston, the museum is free and open to the public, and we strive to offer meaningful presentations and programs that engage and educate our community.

I invite you to visit the museum and help us continue preserving Houston’s history for generations to come. To learn more, visit the Houston Area Museum Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Contributor

Michelle Hoskins

Michelle Hoskins is a Founding Board Member with the Houston Area Museum. She grew up in Houston, graduated from Houston High School, and years later returned to reconnect with her roots. She and her husband have two sons, two bonus sons, and five “grandbabies.” Professionally, she is Executive Director of the La Crescent Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. In addition to her work with the Houston Area Museum, she also serves on boards with the La Crescent Area Historical Society and the Houston Area Preservation Initiative (HAPI), and volunteers with Houston’s Light Up the Park.