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Museum revamps educational area for children By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
“Our museum continues to grow, and I share this place off every opportunity I get with people from outside the community,” he said. “They all An idea that started as a sketch in Sharpie became a walk away very impressed. I just had a comment reality on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Wabash County yesterday from some folks about how much better Museum. they like this museum than even museums in Fort The Den, a newly expanded and refurbished educaWayne. tion center on the “We’re happy to have them here in the Museum’s second community as an anchor downtown.” floor, officially opened Keith Gillenwater, President and CEO following a ribbon cutof Grow Wabash County, thanked museting ceremony. The um officials for “continunew venture was made ally reinvesting” in itself. possible through sup“Obviously, one of the hallmarks of this museum port from Beacon is you keep it fresh,” he Credit Union. said. “You change out “It’s hard to believe exhibits.” that this started as a He said he knows his 6Sharpie marker sketch year-old son will enjoy just a few years ago,” visiting The Den. Museum Director “It’s hard to believe that this “The fact that you’re Mitch Figert said durcontinuing to reinvest is ing a brief ceremony started as a Sharpie marker awesome and it’s a real before the ribbon cutsketch just a few years ago,” attribute to the communiting. “What you see ty,” Gillenwater said. now is the result of listening to a lot of feed- Mitch Figert, Museum Director “We’re very lucky to have such a great team here to back from parents and continue keeping this grandparents and kids. thing growing.” A lot of our staff have Much of the work on kids, so we listen to The Den took place earlier them frequently.” this year when the facility The Den is designed was closed due to the for museum visitors 8 COVID-19 pandemic. years and younger. It “COVID is not a good also has one section thing, but this was a great for those 3 years and time for them to be able to under. It features a renew this and refresh it look-and-find activity, so that everyone can enjoy new interactive and it,” said Lee Ann George, educational compochair of the museum’s nents in the round board of directors. “I barn and farm house, appreciate all the work a redesigned planting the staff has done. We garden, a new art also appreciate Beacon’s gallery, and much support.” more. Beacon President & CEO Kevin “What you see now is the result of listening to a lot of Willour said officials with the financial feedback from parents and grandparents and kids,” institution were “happy and very excitFigert continued. “A lot of our staff have kids, so we ed” to be involved with the project. listen to them frequently.” “We’ve had a longstanding relationMayor Scott Long praised the museum for reinventing the space, and also praised Beacon for serving as Continued on page 7 the lead donor.
September 9, 2020
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Vol. 43, No. 25