Welcome to March. Now that we’re in the clear of winter weather, the museum is on the eve of resuming work for the train caboose. I’ve spent the last several weeks arranging contracting bids to paint the exterior of the caboose. Flooring for the inside of the caboose has been obtained. Work on constructing a sidewalk is just weeks away.While the caboose restoration is still long term project, looking ahead even further, the museum is in the process of researching Sarpy County’s World War I military history. The 100th anniversary of America’s entry into WWI is in April 2017 and we’ve begun to think about an exhibit. The only problem being there is currently next to nothing compiled on the Sarpy County related men and women involved in this deadly conflict. Indeed it was deadly for Sarpy County as each community had at least one fatal casualty. There is a lot to be discovered from this time and we would welcome any WWI history, uniforms or items related to the men and women from Sarpy County.
In the more immediate, February had multiple Cub Scout Tours. Our February program examined a few of the over 800 Native American women to serve their country during World War II. Our Native American exhibit, currently on display, was augmented with some rare artifacts on loan from the collection of Larry Chandler. We’ve worked with the new PepperJax Grill in Bellevue to supply them with historic images for their restaurant. If you go there, be sure to compliment them on their decor. Finally, a thanks to those who have shared artifacts and history with us in the last month. A few additions to the collection include a history of Papillion’s Opera House and Masons, a pair of WWI boots, printing plates of a 1954 Sarpy County plat map, yearbooks from Logan Fontenelle Middle School, and historic papers of a 1905 Bellevue College graduate.
See you at the museum,
Ben Justman