The Edwardsburg Museum was started by a group of interested community members. Some the original organizing group are still gathering at the museum each week.

Eloise Claire, who worked in many of the community businesses, and Janice Gunn Leist, who was the nurse in Dr. Knox’s office for many years, helped in the planning. Barbara Andrus Westfall, whose father was the owner and editor of the Edwardsburg Argus, and Dorothy Skronski, who worked for many years at the Klinglers Pharmacy, as well as Sally Bolton Kurtis and Barbara Fackelman Dempsey, were all members of that original group.

The biggest contributors to the museum in its early stages were the three that I wrote about last week: Mary Montgomery, Mary Catherine Morse and Loyal Lane. In addition to the threesome, our lost members who were very active were Otis Montgomery and Berdean Lane.

Otis was the inspiration for the idea of a museum. He and his pal Dick Beckwith put their sweat equity into the construction of the building along with many other volunteers.

Joined at a later date and still  weekly attendees are Marge Braniff, Shirley Andrews, Ray and Kay Shanahan Smith, Phyllis Hill Howard and recently Betty Brady and Pat Pabreza Belaire. Others who come often are Sam and Margaret Clason, Karen and Don Duck and Marje Rea

Not only do weekly groups meet inside the museum, but there are several people who work on the outside and in the gardens at the back of the museum. The gardens were originally designed by two master gardeners, Barbara Smith and Beth Hooley. Later, Pam Lung gave her input and then Bonnie Elder added her expertise and lastly, Linda Hernandez added to the design.

Other gardeners who have kept it watered and weeded include Janice Leist, Marge Braniff, Shirley Andrews, Virginia Kraft, Pat Bellaire and Barbara Dempsey.

The museum is partially financed through the plant sale that takes place in May. Plants are currently being placed in the gardens and will be dug and potted in May for the plant sale.

The lawn and the American Legion Veterans Memorial is cared for by Dick Boepple. Ray Smith, his family and friends are in charge of general maintenance of the building and they keep everything in operating order.

The museum, which is located in the center of the old town, is a popular spot any day of the week. If you see a car parked in the front or back, you can be sure someone is at work inside or out even if the doors and open sign are not up.

It’s the after-hours activities and the weekly volunteers that keep the museum moving and changing.