Volunteering

So Tuesday I went to the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Centre, AL and talked with someone about volunteering there. It turns out that the museum has only 1 employee, a few kinda employees that are from state programs (such as a senior citizen program which reintroduces retirees back into the working environment.), and now 1 volunteer - me.

That's right! I'm the only volunteer at this museum so far. Now the lovely man that I talked to told me all about the museum and his successful attempts to revitalize it. (Lets just say that 3 years ago the museum was only getting about 200 visitors a year and now this year they're expecting 4,000 visitors. Pretty awesome, right?) Now he's not really involved with history at all, he is only there temporarily to try and turn the museum around so that its not a drain on the county. I was pretty much told that I could do whatever I wanted as long as it fit into his plan.

First let me describe this museum. It is housed within a 3 story building that used to be the main branch of a general store company. (I can't remember exactly which company.) The building is clearly early 1900s. The main floor is rather spacious and at this moment holds 6 or 7 exhibits, including an exhibit in process on the U.S. Mail system. The building is not in good shape. The lighting is a bit shabby, but they've been working on it. There's no air conditioner, there was no hot water until recently, and you can see where there has been some foundation damage along the walls. The ceiling is super cool because it has these wonderful plaster tiles that have a lovely design on them. (I can't really say what time period since I don't really know my architecture very well.)

The main exhibits are local oriented. They are about the surrounding community and the impacts placed on them. Downstairs in the basement its fairly clean, there are signs saying its off limits to visitors but I think they're allowed in there anyway. I'm not too sure on that point. There is a wonderful exhibit of a Blacksmith's shop which was put in by the family of the deceased blacksmith themselves. There's the beginning of a jail cell exhibit which has the door of the county jail, which is in the process of being torn down next door. The rest of the basement houses a ton of farming equipment and various other artifacts.

Upstairs is a mess. Upstairs is where the county records are. The records are not in any semblance of order. I really shudder to think of tackling upstairs. Of course, on the other hand it excites me too. All that stuff needing protecting and organized. Ahh.... Sadly I have no clue how to handle it. So I'm planning on doing some extensive research so that I can figure out a way to keep those records safe, even if its just placing them in acid free containers.

I can't even begin to describe how fantastic this is! I'm going to take it slow though. Tomorrow I will be driving the 2 hours back to Centre and will start working on a program, used in most museums, called Past Perfect. I got a pretty look at it on Tuesday and I noticed that its kinda like the Field Management Software System that the National Park Service uses only not as strict, because they don't have to go through a federal audit. (As far as I know?) Either way because this program is so well used, it'll be great to get some experience with it and put it on my resume for later. I may even get hired thanks to this place!

Tonight I will be looking up a couple of terms that Past Perfect used, which I wasn't familiar with. I'll also be looking up a few of the artifacts that I was able to write down. This is what you can look forward to hearing about in my next post.

1. The Addressograph
2. Bicycle mail carts
3. Proof machine? Or Farmers and Merchants Bank
4. King Midget car

Of course if any of you viewing this know anything about one of those 4 things I will be ecstatic to have you tell me about them. Don't be afraid to comment!