RACINE, WI — For the previous 150 years, Racine Heritage Museum (RHM) has been the historic coronary heart of Racine County, safekeeping what makes this space particular.
From its origins in 1870 because the Outdated Settler’s Society to its present residence on Essential Road, RHM continues to protect artifacts of Native People, pioneers, inventors, immigrants, abolitionists, athletes, business, structure, pure assets, and a lot extra.
With its eye-catching purple door, the gorgeous Bedford stone constructing welcomes guests with white Ionic columns, a frieze studying “Free to the Individuals,” and a sense of discovery.
The museum options displays on Frank Lloyd Wright, the Underground Railroad, Racine innovations and manufacturing, a Sports activities Corridor of Fame, and Little Golden Books, amongst others.
Turning into a museum
Earlier than changing into the Racine Heritage Museum’s residence, the constructing served as a Carnegie library. Architect John Mauran of St. Louis and builder A.H. Harcus constructed it in 1904 by way of a Carnegie grant and group efforts.
To protect the constructing in 1962, the group made it the house of RHM.
The museum includes 12,500 sq. ft and has three flooring, all with displays. It was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations on March 20, 1981.
Increasing for the long run
Over the previous couple of a long time, RHM has been on the lookout for a brand new website to name residence. Govt Director Christopher Paulson laid out the museum’s enterprise for a brand new constructing.
“There was an effort about 25 years in the past to develop a brand new museum, and for quite a lot of circumstances, we pulled again from that. The constructive final result is that it made clear our want for enlargement and the notion that an expanded heritage museum could be a major vacation spot attraction for this space,” he stated.
Totally different choices are being thought of relating to whether or not to assemble a brand new constructing or transfer into an present area.
Whereas the museum is just not shifting anytime quickly, it’ll proceed to prioritize serving the group and telling the county’s story.
Exhibition area
Prime of the listing of requirements in an expanded area for applications and exhibitions. Since shifting into their present location, their assortment has grown exponentially.
In keeping with Paulson, “The gathering has grown to 200,000 objects. We will clearly solely share a tiny share of these supplies with folks by way of the power. The documentary assortment has grown to over a mile, over 6,500 linear ft of unique supply documentary materials, which suggests a complete bunch is simply not accessible for analysis proper now.”
Along with documentation, RHM is residence to vehicles, tractors, boats, and different bigger items for show.
More room would enable them to appropriately share tales of innovation, invention, and manufacturing historical past in a manner that’s mirrored precisely and in one of the best ways potential.
Group-driven mission
Racine County’s group has at all times been central to RHM’s work. Their mission is to protect the exceptional tales of Racine County’s folks and historical past. To proceed that mission, RHM should develop.
“We have to discover a answer that can fulfill our mission and serve the group in the best manner potential,” stated Paulson. “We wish to make it possible for what we’re offering is a win for Racine County, Racine Heritage Museum, and the folks we serve.”
In its small manner, the museum has a major native financial impression and is a vacation spot attraction. An expanded museum would have exponentially extra impression on the county’s financial system, additional benefiting the group.
Assist from the group
The museum depends on group engagement to maintain its doorways open and proceed to serve Racine County. It has an energetic Fb web page and web site the place visitors can contact.
At the moment, it’s conducting a collection of group engagement classes the place visitors can have a behind-the-scenes tour and partake in discussions about museum applications that shall be featured sooner or later.
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