An estimated $41,000 needed to add on to the museum.
by Kathy Foster
During their monthly meeting last week, members of the Washington County Historical Society gave their nod of approval for Society President Dorothy Odom to continue looking for the funds needed to expand the museum at its current location. Odom said Nick Dillard Construction has presented a bid to complete the work, but actual work can’t begin until funds are acquired.
They also approved moving the old switchboard and telephone company equipment from the old ice house at the southwest corner of Hwy 77 and Hwy 90 in Chipley to the museum before the ice house is torn down. Odom said the City of Chipley is willing to move the equipment, but that work will have to be done before the end of March when the ice house structure is scheduled to be removed from the site.
Additionally, Odom said the City of Chipley is willing to give the Historical Society some of the old wood from the ice house attic to be used in a display at the museum.
Reporting on recent activities at the museum, Odom touched on the following:
- February Snowbird Tour – Odom said 41people attended the tour and enjoyed the museum exhibits, Veteran’s Memorial Wall and the Indian displays provided by the Historical Society.
- Memberships – Three new members were added to the membership roll during March.
- Veterans Memorial Wall – Additional items were donated to the museum to be included in the Veterans display at the museum after area Veterans stopped by to see the wall.
- The Historical Society has applied for grant funding to develop a Walking Tour app. – Odom said the app can be download and would provide a one and one-half mile tour of the City of Chipley pointing out sites along the way.
- On March 17th there will be a Seed Swap at the Farmers Market where the museum is located and the museum will be open to visitors that day.
The next meeting of the Washington County Historical Society will be April 6th at 11:30 a.m. at the museum and will include a covered-dish luncheon.