Leslie Area Historical Museum reopens after three years
LESLIE — After shutting its doors to the public for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic — and a relocation — the Leslie Area Historical Museum has reopened.
"It's great," Tim Howery, vice president of the Leslie Historical Society, said. "The people that came through just thought it was awesome."
The museum, which reopened May 7, is located on the main floor of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall at 107 E. Bellevue St. Admission is free and the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, and the third Saturday of each month.
Howery said the museum was formerly located in the basement of the building, but moved upstairs after mold issues were discovered, and the pandemic-related closure in March 2020.
Previously the space housed Leslie City Hall, which is at 602 W. Bellevue St. The Historical Society has renovated the downtown space and moved the museum’s belongings to the upper floor over the last eight months. The museum occupies the space without paying rent, but covers a portion of maintenance and utility costs.
The building itself has historical significance; it was built in 1903 to serve as a meeting place for Civil War veterans.
The museum has been open on and off since the 1970s, but now it's doing "the best it's ever done," Howery said. The museum is managed by about a dozen volunteers in the Historical Society.
One of the museum’s notable exhibits, Howery said, is a collection from writer Holling C. Holling. Holling attended Leslie High School in the early 1900s and went on to produce several children's books, including 1942 Caldecott Honor Book, "Paddle to the Sea." He was a Newberry Medal runnerup twice, for "Seabird" and "Minn of the Mississippi."
Another exhibit focuses on Frank White, whose image was used to advertise the Cream of Wheat. His likeness appeared on the product's boxes from the early 1900s to about 2020, according to Wikipedia.
"Frank was born in Barbados, coming to Chicago where he was 'discovered' as a chef," Howery wrote in an email. "After becoming the face of Cream of Wheat cereal, White moved to Leslie where he spent many years before passing away. He and his wife are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery."
People from throughout the state have visited the museum reconnect with their family history in Leslie, Howery said.
Families from the area or those with ancestors from Leslie often donate historical documents when they’re not sure what they may do with them otherwise. They can also approach the Historical Society for information on their family's genealogy and history in Leslie.
Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Leslie Area Historical Museum reopens after three years
