Wiebe to retir as Adobe director
Staff writer
After 18 1/2 years as director of the Adobe House Museum, David F. Wiebe will be retiring soon. No date has been established, but he is looking forward to someone or a group of younger people to manage the museum.
"The reality is — I'm getting older," Wiebe said. "It is time for someone younger to do this now."
The local native was born in Hillsboro the son of David V. and Martha (Frantz) Wiebe. He grew up on a farm between the Lehigh and Goessel area and attended grades 1-6 in a country school.
In the 1940s, his family moved to Reedley, Calif., where he finished grade school and graduated from high school.
Between 1948-49, the family moved to Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, to be closer to relatives who lived in Washington State.
"We were farmers, and after living in hot California, we wanted to move where we could have more rainfall and green pasture for cattle. My father was also a lay minister," Wiebe said.
Wiebe attended the 13th grade of the Canadian school system. He then attended Pacific College in Fresno, Calif., for one year, studying history.
In 1953, he returned to Kansas to attend Tabor College graduating in 1955 with a degree in social sciences.
He began his teaching career by teaching high school history and government in schools in Conway Springs and Lincolnville. While in Kansas, he received his master's from Emporia State in 1957.
He later taught in California at Parlier and Selma, four miles from Reedley, where he grew up.
In 1961, he accepted the position of admissions counselor at Tabor College. Back in Kansas, he received his counseling certification.
After three years, he moved Freeman, S.D., to teach social science and become part of the administration team at Freeman Junior College.
While in South Dakota, he was awarded the Kellogg Foundation Scholarship to attend Colorado State University in Boulder, Colo., for one year. And in 1976, he received the educational specialist degree.
Wiebe came back to Kansas and became a counselor at Pike Valley School in Scandia. He was there for six years.
From 1981-83, he was a counselor at Hoisington High School in Hoisington.
In 1983, he came back to Hillsboro and bought his grandfather's house, where he still lives.
In 1984, he accepted the position as director of the Adobe House museum. He has been in that position ever since.
"I don't become bored," Wiebe said. "History is always changing."
Wiebe is paid by the City of Hillsboro, who owns the complex.
Wiebe's duties as director include general supervision of the complex, doing administrative work, doing minor maintenance of the facilities, and giving tours to visitors of the complex.
Wiebe said that groups that toured this summer from as far away as Finland and Italy have visited the museum.
In the Visitor's Center is a gift shop. There is also an area that can seat 45-50 people for a slide program that Wiebe leads.
He explained that in 1988, the museum board and historical board merged into one board. The complex has grown and so have his responsibilities. The Adobe Complex now has the Friesen Mill and the old Scout House as the Visitor's Center. Also the Schaeffler House is now included.
In 1992, Wiebe was instrumental in writing the grant that helped get money for the restoration of the Adobe House.
Wiebe, who is single, also spends many hours on and off the job in researching information. Therefore, he doesn't have time for hobbies.
"You eat and sleep what you're into," he said.
He said his hobbies are learning more history, traveling, and photography.
"I also love geography," he said. "As a youngster, we moved a lot, and I loved studying geography even back then."
Wiebe is a longtime member of Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. He was a member of the Lion's Club for about 10 years.
He has two brothers, Raymond F. Wiebe and John F. Wiebe and one sister, Connie (Wiebe) Isaac, all of Hillsboro.
Wiebe said he'll spend his retirement days restoring two tractors and a 1938 Chevy truck and Model A car.
"I haven't had time to do those things, but after retiring, I will."
