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Washington Evening Journal
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Winfield Museum stays busy as Crooked Creek Days approach
Renovations, fundraising, and history preservation keep Winfield Museum and History Society members busy
WINFIELD — The summer remains a busy season for the Winfield Museum renovation for their new space continue, the board raises funds for the projects, they prepare for Crooked Creek Days, and they continue to preserve local history.
“This is a busy time of the year at the Winfield Museum,” Museum Board President Judy Rawson said. “We are happy to have our new sidewalk finished in front of our future location. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are moving forward one project at a time.”
According to Rawson, last month, they completed work on the basement including reinforcing part of the floor where a vehicle broke through from a previous owner.
The new building’s floor now features new sturdy supports and even a section designed to become a see-through area with a theme of the cellar as they continue to preserve the history of their new building which was built in 1907 by Morris Pusey.
Next, project efforts will shift to preparing the front of the new building, located at 108 N. Locust St., with a new look and new windows.
As these renovations continue, so do the efforts to raise funds for preparing this new location.
“To raise money for those projects we will be serving breakfast as a part of Crooked Creek Days on Sunday, Aug. 6 from 8—10 a.m. at the VFW building before the car show,” Rawson said. “We will have your favorites: breakfast casserole, fresh fruit cups, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods, drinks and a great new recipe for the biscuits and gravy thanks to a local well known cook.”
“We will have a to-go option available, as well,” she said. “Freewill donations will go toward the building renovations.”
In addition to breakfast fundraiser, Rawson says the museum will also host a sale table outside. Most items may be purchased for freewill donations. Exclusion will be marked with prices.
“Most items will be from the museum of surplus items plus other items donated from board members,” Rawson said. “If the weather does not cooperate the sale will be by the new museum building.”
“Stop by to pick up some fun extras we have been saving for you,” Rawson encourages.
“We greatly appreciate your support,” she said. “The museum board looks forward to seeing you for breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 6.”
Rawson says the board also looks forward to having a larger space for the preservation of local history.
Raising funds and remodeling take a lot of time, but that hasn’t stopped the museum board from continuing their endeavors of preserving local history.
“It is important to preserve our local history and tell the story of our community,” Rawson said.
Some of the ways the currently accomplish this important work include opening the current museum for visitors every Monday from 10 a.m.-noon and continuing to rotate displays.
Additionally, the current museum will open following the Crooked Creek Days parade on Saturday until 2 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Much of the work for preserving local history is a shared endeavor between the historical society, museum board, and members of the public as they respond to requests from the museum to donate things such as old photo albums, a pamphlet about “The Only Genuine Telepathist Known to Science,” old dolls, and many other remnants of history.
“We have lots of new items and displays to see and a great time to bring in items you would like to donate,” Rawson said. “We love new items as we use them for window displays which we change each month. Be sure to come see our 2023 Ambassadors display as we honor Don & Carolyn Hagge for their years of volunteering in Winfield.”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
