Plans are set for the Pennyroyal Area Museum’s grand reopening on Thursday, Feb. 27.
A Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting is planned at 3 p.m., followed by comments by museum officials and free tours of the building. Refreshments will be served and Vansauwa’s Tacos & Vegan Eats will be on site.
“Please join us as we rededicate our community’s first museum,” Alissa Keller, executive director of the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, said in a news release.
Keller added, “Built in 1913-15, this elegant, beautiful building was in need of upgrades to provide a space that can best showcase the history that we all treasure. In addition to the building renovation, we have redesigned and created an updated exhibition to tell the stories of our community.”
Christian Fiscal Court provided a $1 million grant, generated through a transient room tax, to help fund the renovation. The museum and local donors have contributed additional money for the project, which will exceed $1.5 million when it is completed.
A capital campaign continues to help the museum offset the expenses. All donors to the campaign are invited to an exclusive preview party on Friday, Feb. 21.
Here’s an overview of the museum project provided by Keller:
“REB Architects from Nicholasville served as lead architects on the renovation project. Specializing in historic preservation projects, REB Architects have worked on historic buildings in Hopkinsville, Dawson Springs, and Eddyville in this region and have a long resume of experience with historic structures throughout the state and surrounding area.
“C&C Contracting out of Russellville served as the contractors on the project. Their team has done great work to upgrade the building while honoring its historic integrity. Major improvements to the building include hazardous material abatement, the addition of new restrooms, upgraded electrical and lighting systems, a fire suppression system, fresh paint, and the replacement of the original roof.
“Flutter & Wow Museum Projects, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have designed, fabricated, and are actively installing the exhibition in our main gallery space. Jason Stevens and his team at Flutter & Wow create unique museum exhibits that provide interactive experiences for visitors, and they have treated our community’s history with a respectful and playful approach.”
Anyone interested in becoming a donor to the capital campaign so they attend the preview party on Feb. 21 may contact the museum at 270-887-4270 or go online here.
(Editor’s Note: Jennifer P. Brown is board chair for the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County.)
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
