Night at the Museum, Courtesy of Prowers County Historical Society
Barbara Crimond | Aug 23, 2017 | Comments 0
This is not to be confused with the Ben Stiller movie from 2006, ‘Night at the Museum’, this is the Big Timbers Museum in Lamar playing host to an evening of entertainment and information on Thursday, September 14th.
Kathleen Scranton, museum curator, and Linda Hawkins of the Prowers County Historical Society, said the night will feature live music, a BBQ, historic desserts courtesy of Trevor LaCost and guided tours of the museum beginning at 6pm that evening. The cost is $25 per family or $10 per person to cover costs. Tickets will be available from PCHS Board members or at the museum. Summer hours are only until August 31st, from 10am to 5pm. Winter hours begin September 1st through May 31st and run from 1pm to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday through the entire year. The idea of a nighttime event is to appeal to a wider audience by periodically opening the museum on evening hours when persons would have more time to spend several hours learning the history of their county with a first-hand view of an inventory of over 13,000 items.
Scranton told the Prowers County Commissioners, the museum has been asked to construct an indoor display of photos and some artifacts for the time period of 1800-1899. The display will be used in conjunction with this year’s Historical Encampment at Lamar Community College in late September. Scranton said the visitors and participants in the Encampment will be given a group rate of $2 per person should they visit the Museum.
Other recent developments include the Museum being mentioned in Richard Bassemir’s book, “Chasing Grandpa”. The Museum assisted the family in locating the Savoy Hotel in Lamar when, in 1916, their grandfather drove cross country, apparently stopping in Lamar. The descendants followed the same route in the same model car on the 100th anniversary of the historic trek.
The commissioners told Scranton they would help finance the cost of outdoor lighting at the museum when the future Tri-State Memorial is completed. Funds are still being sought for the construction of the site which will honor various service people and first responders. The Society Board has tabled discussion regarding the addition of Joel Woelk’s fire engine to the transportation museum. The unit is 21 feet in length and some current additions would have to be moved to accommodate the new display piece.
By Russ Baldwin
Filed Under: City of Lamar • County • Education • Entertainment • Featured • History • Recreation • The Arts • Tourism
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