By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Although the new director of Marion City Museum, Teresa Mills, is new to the community, she is bubbling over with enthusiasm about its history.

“I’ve always loved history,” she said. “It’s always been a passion, and I’m excited to learn about Marion County.”

The 59-year old Mills took over from retired director Peggy Blackman on April 5.

“I’m impressed with Teresa’s enthusiasm and willingness to dig in and clean and to learn the history of Marion,” Blackman said.

Mills is a registered nurse. She spent the past 35 years in Washington. She moved to Marion in October.

“Family is what brought me to Kansas,” she said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to take a nursing job, but I knew I wanted to become part of this community.”

She saw the ad for a new museum director in the local newspaper and decided it would be a perfect job for her. She has been to Marion off and on in the past to visit relatives and has been to the museum a few times. As director, she is feeling overwhelmed with all there is to learn.

“Marion County has a most interesting history,” she said. “There are stories and incidents as adventurous and exciting as you’ll see on TV or in movies. “Everything I look at is a treasure. I pick somebody to focus on and research every day.”

She uses index cards when conducting tours.

Mills is a country girl and fits well with a rural community. In Washington, she lived in an old house on 40 acres of land 45 minutes south of Olympia.

When at work, she plays country music on the radio. She likes to hunt, fish, and hike. Several sets of deer antlers are displayed on the walls of her home from bucks she harvested in Washington.

She has two Yorkies, Billie and Bella.

“They are my pride and joy,” she said.

She is happy with the reception she has received in Marion.

“Everybody I’ve met has been interesting and kind-hearted,” she said. “I encourage residents to come in to meet me and share their stories.”

She is there every Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.