Plains District Memorial Museum Celebrates Its 27th Anniversary, Sunday September 21, 2pm Community Meeting room
As early as 1995, Charles (MAC) McCauley, then mayor of Timberville, initiated plans to establish a museum in Plains District. Along with Richard Sullivan, Wilda Wine (the only member still active at the Museum) and Phyllis Strickler (all employees of the town of Timberville), McCauley began a search of the area for a suitable location for a museum. It was finally decided that the parking lot behind the current town office was the best location. In 1997, Timberville Town Council approved funds to construct the building in their parking lot. In 1998, the Plains District Memorial Museum held its grand opening in this building (now the Timberville Police Station).
The new Museum operated two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) with three main volunteers, Dot Saunders, Bee Hite May, and Evelyn Campbell. By 2004 when the Museum was incorporated, it had grown to 500 visitors each year,15 volunteers and the small building had become overcrowded with additional collections.
In 2006, the newly formed Board of Directors voted to purchase the old Rocking R Hardware Building for its new location. Who would have imagined that we would not only restore the building but over the next seventeen years be able to renovate more of its parts, replace the entire roof and this year become debt free. Today the Museum continues to operate four days each week (Thurs- Sun. 1 -4 pm) thanks to its 45 faithful volunteers and the continued support of the community.
