Geneva History Center loses educator

Margaret Selakovich probably knows downtown Geneva better backward than forward.

The sneaker-clad Geneva History Center educator has led countless tours through the historic district, especially as she taught Geneva schoolchildren the city’s history.

Those days are coming to an end, as Selakovich has resigned from the post, effective Dec. 31. She said Tuesday it’s time for a personal change, including going back to school.

Selakovich has been a paid employee since 2004, and a volunteer before that.

“They have been great years,” Selakovich said. “ ... It’s been fun and it’s been challenging.”

Selakovich, who has a bachelor’s degree in education, especially liked working with second- and third-graders on their annual local history units. She loved to see the connections they made when she explained how some store buildings on South Third Street were originally hospitals, including that in one, when it ran out of room in the nursery, would keep babies in the warmth of the dietary kitchen. She took them to the mayor’s office at City Hall, where the fire wagon used to be stored, and let them ring the bell at the nearby Unitarian Universalist Church, just like people did a century ago to summon volunteer firefighters.

“Their eyes light up. It’s just fun to see that,” said Selakovich, a Geneva school board trustee from 1995 to 2007.

A news release announcing the resignation said that under Selakovich’s tenure, visits by schoolchildren to the center increased more than 60 percent. She also helped increase adult programming and there are about 50 programs annually.

A reception will be held Monday at the center, 113 S. Third St., following the center’s 6 p.m. annual membership meeting. For details, call (630) 232-4951.

It is the third staff change for the history center this year. It laid off archivist Ron Rawson in January, citing financial problems. It hired Terry Emma as its new executive director in April. In May, it closed its gift store, which was not making much money; it plans to reopen it, focusing only on items related to Geneva.

Selakovich downplayed the effect of her resignation.

“I think they will do fine,” she said.