Stemtown Museum finds new home
GREEN SPRINGS – Last August, the Stemtown Historical Society Museum of Green Springs was forced to relocate after foundation and structural damage discovered in May rendered its former building unsafe.
But the museum found a perfect new home in the old Calvary United Methodist Church, but even then the society initially encountered a financial shortfall in purchasing its now home.
Large donation allowed society to purchase former church building
The purchase of the Calvary United Methodist Church went forward with a $40,000 contribution by Bud Rutherford in honor of his wife, Maxine Rutherford, who died Dec. 5, 2019. Bud and Maxine had been employed with the Clyde-Green Springs Exempted Village School District for many years. Bud served as a teacher and a long-time school board member.
His donation last October allowed the historical society to continue its mission of preserving the rich history of Seneca and Sandusky counties and the town of Green Springs.
“We moved in August due to the older building needing so many repairs that we couldn’t afford them and the Calvary United Methodist Church was available," said Brenda Rando, curator of the Stemtown Society Museum.
Rando said, “We wanted to let the public know that we are still here, and we are working on opening the new building.”
The church is undergoing some minor renovations in preparation for its grand reopening this spring. This includes constructing a platform to properly showcase the military display, as the church floors are sloped. Additionally, the basement is being repainted, new safety alarms are being installed, and an outdoor area is being added to house historical firetrucks in the future. These improvements will update the facilities while preserving the church's rich history and character.
The museum will have different exhibits that include the rich history of the town, a research section where guests can leaf through decades of issues from the Echo Press, the local newspaper that captured small-town life from 1896 to 1979.
Military exhibits that include uniforms and artifacts from the Civil War, World Wars, and beyond, music lovers can browse the museum's extensive collection of band scores and sheet music, a glimpse into the schools of yesteryear with a display of vintage yearbooks, and a sports fan can enjoy seeing team memorabilia and meeting Buddy, the museum mascot.
New location set to open in April
The museum also illuminates how Green Springs took shape, including the story of how Brenda Rando's great-grandfather helped build the Calvary United Methodist Church, the new home of the museum. With engaging exhibits spanning over a century, the Stemtown Historical Society Museum offers a fascinating look at the people and events that shaped the community.
“We plan on having the grand opening around April 19 some time,” Rando said. “We will also be open Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also call to make an appointment for a viewing, and the museum is free, with an option to donate.”
The Stemtown Historical Society Museum was founded in 1979 by a group of people who wanted to preserve the town of Green Springs and despite the move, visitors can still explore the museum's impressive collections covering all aspects of local history. The new location provides an ideal space for the museum to host events and exhibits for many years to come.
For more information on Stemtown Historical Society Museum visit https://stemtownhistoricalsociety.com/.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Stemtown Historical Society to open its new museum
