A new board of directors for the planned Seymour Museum has begun moving forward with renovating the former police station at Third and Chestnut streets.
The project has been stalled for the past few years due to lack of funds and changes in leadership and volunteers.
The goal is to get the public more involved and hopefully, to have the renovations and displays completed and the doors open in a year’s time, those involved with the project said.
“I’m one of those people who believe that anything is possible,” board president Lenny Hauersperger said.
Board members currently are meeting once a month. Besides Hauersperger, they include secretary, Kevin Greene; treasurer, Robert Kamman; and members, Carol King, Charlotte Sellers, Connie Gerth, Don Bruce, former Mayor Jim Bullard and Rodney Farrow.
“We think within the next couple of months we’ll be holding our meetings there in the old mayor’s office, which used to be the police chief’s office and the old postmaster’s office,” Hauersperger said.
“With the new board in place, things are really looking good, and we want to get the public involved to help us with our priorities.”
A public meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Seymour library for people to discuss the needs and emphasis of the museum, and what they would like to see displayed in the building.
People also may comment or send messages through the Seymour Museum Inc. Facebook page or email [email protected] with the subject Seymour Museum.
The old Federal Building was first used in 1918 as a post office. It later became Seymour City Hall and most recently served as the Seymour police station. The city leases the building to the museum for $1 a year, but it has been empty for nearly a decade.
Selective interior demolition has continued this year and some restored windows with original glass and frames were returned to the front of the building in 2013 through a grant from the Efroymson Foundation.
Hauersperger said the board is looking to restore the windows on the side of the building soon, and is in need of businesses or individuals to help sponsor that work.
The museum also is working closely with Indiana Landmarks to renovate and preserve the building.
“We met with Greg Sekula today with Indiana Landmarks, and he gave us some good suggest- ions,” Hauersperger said Wednesday.
“He’s an important person to have involved with the project, because we are limited to what we can do. It is a historic building and a historic district, so we wanted to make sure we were doing everything properly.
Hauersperger said the rest of the renovation work will have to be done in phases with the first phase consisting of roof, plumbing and electrical work. The second phase will focus on finishing rooms and displays.
Plans call for permanent and rotating exhibits, and interactive learning opportunities, detailing the history of Seymour, Hauersperger said.
He hopes to find contractors willing to donate labor and material costs to get the project rolling and people to donate items to be displayed.
“There are a lot of people who have things they want to put in the museum, but they want to see progress first,” Hauersperger said.
“They’ve been waiting all this time, and it’s been too long.”
On Sept. 11, a group of volunteers will be doing cleanup work at the museum as part of Jackson County United Way’s annual community work day.
“We had a day where a local Boy Scout group came in and helped us remove debris and did cleanup work too,” Hauersperger said. “Everybody we’ve asked so far has volunteered.”
As far as money goes, Hauersperger said the group is just starting its fundraising efforts.
Tax-deductible donations made payable to Seymour Museum Inc. may be mailed to the museum at Box 1138, Seymour, IN 47274.
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What: Seymour Museum meeting, for the public to give input on the project to restore the former police station into a city museum
Where: Seymour Library
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
For information: Call 812-522-2941 or 812-530-9272.
People also may comment or send messages through the Seymour Museum Inc. Facebook page or email [email protected] with the subject Seymour Museum.
Tax-deductible donations made payable to Seymour Museum Inc. may be mailed to the museum at PO Box 1138, Seymour IN 47274.
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