CHARLES W. McCAULEY
1922-2005
Who was this man who founded a museum?
The son of a farmer, Charles (Mac) McCauley, one of seven children, grew up on a farm south of Emporia, Kansas. Life was hard for the family, making it necessary for Mac to leave high school after one year to help his father. In a 2004 interview with Florence Barrett, DNR) North Fork, Mac said “We farmed with mules. We didn’t have tractors.”
In 1942 at the age of 20 years old, he was drafted as a cadet into the Army Air Force. Since he did not have a high school diploma, to become a pilot, Mac was required to take classes in physics and math along with intensive flight school training. Upon completion of the training, he was assigned as lead pilot on numerous bombing raids over Germany for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross Award. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1945.
After returning to Kansas, Mac enrolled at the University of Oklahoma and, four years later in 1949, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in electrical engineering. His career as a chemical engineer eventually brought him to settle in Timberville (1967) when he accepted the position of plant manager at Howell Metal Company in New Market.
During his years in Timberville, Mac was dedicated to community service. He was a member of the VFW, the Ruritans, the Timberville Town Council, and served 12 years as Mayor of Timberville. Colleagues and friends remember him as warm, caring, generous, a devoted family man and father of four children, a tireless leader who led by example. “When Mac spoke, people listened.” Mac also had a deep-seated interest in preserving what he saw as the unique lifestyle of Plains District. Maybe John Yeich, his friend and longtime volunteer at Plains District Memorial Museum, described this best in his eulogy at the funeral of Charles (Mac) McCauley on July 12, 2005:
There is an old saying that suggests “Strike While the Iron’s Hot.” The idea being that we should build on something that already exists to make it better or useful. Well, I think Mac’s motto was somewhat different. His motto was more like: “Strike UNTIL the Iron’s Hot,” suggesting that he often had ideas that formed in the depth of his mind, and he just wouldn’t give up until his dream of what could be would become reality. …. (one of these dreams) …Mac envisioned the gathering in a central place of things that represent the Plains District, where they would be preserved and available for the public to view. …He probably thought he could somehow convince Timberville Town Council to endorse the idea of a museum, and maybe even provide a little financial support toward its launching. He succeeded. So, in 1998 the Plains District Memorial Museum opened.
Mac was always appreciative and grateful for the overwhelming support of the community and the volunteers who devote time. Those of us who continue to work here to expand his concept feel confident that Mac would be delighted to see his Museum today, a dream that he created and made a reality. We invite you to visit the Museum whenever possible.
UPCOMING EVENT
Sun. May 19 2 pm
In Museum’s Community Meeting Room
C. W. GRANDLE
Retired former co-owner of the Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway, VA
will speak on early funeral homes and practices in our area.
Free admission.
PLAINS DISTRICT MEMORIAL MUSEUM
PO Box 601
176 N. Main St., Timberville VA 22853
540-896-7900
Email: plainsmuseum@comcast.net
Website: plainsmuseum.com
