You hear a lot about Going Green in the news.  Well, the Dubois County Museum is Going Green, but it isn’t some fuel efficient way to conserve or the pulling out of antique machinery for a new use…the museum will be going green with frogs.  The Earl Fritch family of Jasper donated his extensive collection of novelty frogs to the museum and now after months of volunteer hours spent cataloging; the collection is ready for display.  On display through-out the museum will be 1,600 frogs.

 A special Sneak Preview will be held March 16 for Members Only—old and new. If you haven’t yet paid your 2010 dues or haven’t yet joined, you can pay that evening. A pre-St. Patrick’s celebration will be held with great refreshments, music and be the first to experience “the frogs.” Free to all members 6:30—8:30 pm.

This temporary exhibit will open on March 17 and run through May 30.  Numerous display cases hold ceramic to porcelain frogs, concrete lawn ornaments to glass, cloth, wind chimes, drawings, toilet seat cover to frog candy dishes.  Steven Jones, Fritch’s nephew, started the collection when he gave Fritch two green glass frogs from a trip to Mexico City.  From that point, family and friends would add to the collection to celebrate a birthday, special occasion, or sometimes for no special occasion.  Fritch amassed an extensive collection-possibly numbering over 2,000 pieces before his death.

The Dubois County Museum is a local non-profit organization committed to the collection, preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts and information important to the citizens of the county. Museum operations are funded by annual memberships, donations and gifts from visitors, area residents and businesses. Admission is free, donations are accepted. The DCM staff consists entirely of volunteers. It is located in Jasper at 2704 N Newton Street (US 231). Call 634-7733.  Museum hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 am—2:00 pm, Saturday from 10-4pm and Sundays 1:00—4:00. Eastern Time. It is closed on Mondays.