How fitting that a train should rumble along the tracks just as Tyrone Mayor Patricia Stoner was about to deliver a speech at the ribbon cutting of the Tyrone History Museum.
Dozens were in attendance as the Tyrone Area Historical Society officially dedicated and opened the new museum, which provides visitors a blast to the past, detailing both the history of railroad activity in Tyrone and the history-making footsteps of this great community.
“This has been a long time coming and we finally hit the day,” said Nancy Smith, president of TAHS. “To have this museum open and running has to be absolutely the most wonderful thing that has happened to us.
“It’s a delight.”
The museum has been two years in the making, and now, Tyroners and Tyrone natives have the chance to see, in a nutshell, what Tyrone once was.
“The emphasis is on the railroad, but there is a lot more to the history of Tyrone,” Smith said.
Visitors to the museum first notice the nostalgic photos aptly placed in strategic positions inside the Bud Shuster Intermodal Transportation Center. A brief, but detailed history of the railroad flanks one wall of the room, while a circa 1880s railroad luggage cart highlights another. Glass display cases full of Tyrone artifacts also highlight the town’s history.
“This museum was really something worth waiting for,” said Stoner, after the train rumbled past. “It’s yet another addition to the revitalization of our town. We should all take pride in what was done here.”
The museum has been two years in the making. Grant funding helped push the project along, but according to Lori Eckert, historical society treasurer and coordinator, this establishment is truly an effort of the entire community.
“It took a lot of people a lot of time doing a lot of things,” said Eckert in early November when the final pieces were being placed inside the museum. “Our community has done great things in the past, and now our present community is doing great things to show that.”
The majority of the exhibits range from 1797 to approximately the 1950s. There’s plenty of nostalgic photos of The Villa, a popular dining establishment; the old athletic park, complete with a swimming pool, baseball field with grandstands, and even a golf course; and the buildings where the world-known Cloverine Salve was produced.
Historical society officials said it would be most appreciative in accepting donations for display at the museum, but noted that only Tyrone-related items will be used. Most of the current exhibits are from the donations of community residents.
“We can only use Tyrone-related items because that’s what we want our museum to be,” said Eckert. “Strictly Tyrone.”
The museum will be open to the public each Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 1-4 p.m., with tomorrow being the official “opening day.” Light refreshments will be served. Volunteers will open the museum and be on hand to answer any questions.
“I think this is going to be just another plus for the community of Tyrone,” said Eckert. “People here care about their community and deserve to be able to see what got them to this point.”
For more information or to contact someone to make a donation, contact the historical society at 684-5141. If there is no answer, leave a message.
