The Seymour Museum Center membership campaign is underway.
Membership levels for 2022 are $10 for students, $25 for adults and $50 for a family. There also are corporate and organization levels of $100 for pioneer, $250 for settler and $500 for founders.
This year’s campaign will support the ongoing expenses needed to keep the lights on, the remodeling continuing and match for local and state grants.
People also may donate to the capital campaign. The levels are bronze ($500 to $999), silver ($1,000 to $4,999), gold ($5,000 to $9,999) and platinum ($10,000 and up).
Plus, there are five window sponsorships still available for $1,800 apiece.
Checks for memberships and the capital campaign should be made payable to Seymour Museum and mailed to P.O. Box 1138, Seymour, IN 47274. Contributions to the museum, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, also may be made at JCBank.
The museum also is looking for those interested in becoming board members or volunteers to help in the following areas: General maintenance and handwork; construction and remodel; exhibits and collections; and design, acquisitions and grants. If interested, contact Lenny Hauersperger, Bob Kamman or Rodney Farrow.
Hauersperger, the museum board’s president, said the board, contractors/vendors and volunteers have been hard at work cleaning, upgrading and improving the space at 220 N. Chestnut St. in downtown Seymour.
“We have received partial grants to complete a new handicapped bathroom and new HVAC systems. Work also continues in the large exhibit room, foyer and restoration of the remaining eight historic windows,” he said. “Our hope is to be able to open on Saturdays beginning in September.”
The financial need to complete Phase 1 is $90,000. This amount along with already committed funds of $47,100 will complete the first phase.
“As you can see, we still have a long road to completion, but we have a good start,” Hauersperger said. “Volunteers and financial support from the visitor center and redevelopment commission have enabled us to reach this point. Our hope is that we can see real improvement by the end of summer.”
Board Treasurer Bob Kamman said in a time when it seems historic buildings are being destroyed, the Seymour Museum Center is working to preserve a historic downtown building that will attract visitors to Seymour.
Hauersperger said the long-term vision is to create displays of industrial and business history, family histories, personal collectibles of significance to the area, pictures, sports hall of fame recognition and other artifacts of historic importance to Seymour.
“We encourage you to consider donating any artifacts which would support the efforts of the board’s mission,” he said.
To donate artifacts, call Farrow at 812-525-1209.
Anyone with questions or interested in scheduling a tour can contact Hauersperger at 812-530-9272.