The Rockport Democrat, May 4, 1951

Article was typed as it was worded in the newspaper.

Formal Opening Set For City Park Museum

The new museum building in the City Park will be officially opened to the public by the City Park Improvement Association on Sunday, June 3.

At the time the present courthouse was built, the large room to the left of the Main street entrance was set aside as a relic room.  In this room were placed all the civil war mementos and other articles from pioneer days belonging to the Spencer County Historical Society.  As the court house became more and more crowded, the relic room was taken over for office space.  Since that time there has been no place to properly display the many valuable historical relics which have been accumulated down through the years.

Many families have expressed the desire to turn family heirlooms over to a museum if a proper one could be erected.  It is expected that with the completion of the new building, many antiques will be added to the already sizable collection.

The exterior of the building has been completed but there is still some work to be done on the interior however, furniture is being placed and the process of arranging and displaying has been started.  When finished the building will have cost approximately $8,000.  The Park Board has taken this responsibility into its own treasury and no part of the expense will be charged to the taxpayers.  A dedication service will be planned as soon as the balance of the debt can be retired.

A program has been arranged for opening day and several well known persons have been invited to participate.  At 2:30 George Honig, former resident and noted artist and sculptor, will be honored as the creator of the Lincoln Pioneer Village.

Members of the various organizations in the city will act as guides through the Village during the day and will be dressed in costumes symbolic of Abraham Lincoln’s day.  Clubs to take part are the Woman’s Club, Garden Club, Silverdale Home Economics Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Business and Professional Woman’s Club, Spencer County Historical Society and Spier Spencer Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Sunday, June 3, will also be set aside as homecoming day in Rockport and picnic parties will be welcome.