Stillwater museum finds items lost for decades

Usually, when a museum tears down walls to make room for new exhibits, it doesn't expect to find artifacts that haven't been seen for decades.

But the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History, which will reopen March 4, will include a few of these items in a temporary floor exhibit until renovations are finished in fall 2012.

Charles Barraclough, administrative assistant of the museum and business administration junior, saw the benefit of this discovery.

"We weren't sure what all was back there since we haven't looked in about 20 years," Barraclough said. "This allows us to exhibit our history in a refreshing and different way."

As part of a larger renovation, the museum removed two false walls from the exhibit room that had stored these artifacts since 1989, Barraclough said. These items include an antique wheelchair, a horse-drawn cultivator and a large bank vault donated to the museum in 1975.

Several old display cases and exhibit tables were found and donated to Stillwater thrift stores.

"We donated these items so that they can be used by someone who really needs them," Barraclough said.

The museum at 702 S. Duncan St. broke ground on the renovation in early January. The renovation will include the removal of floor and ceiling tile and the repair of water damaged walls.

Barraclough said the old display featured exhibits of Stillwater history by each decade. With a larger display space, the renovated museum will include categorical displays highlighting education, culture and Stillwater businesses.

"We're hoping to have a grand opening in December," Barraclough said of the building, which began as a First Church of Christ Scientist when it was built in 1928.

Leonard Sheerer and his wife donated $25,000 to create the museum in 1974. The Stillwater Arts and Humanities Council owned it until the Sheerer Museum Board of Trustees was created in the mid-80's.

"It's a historic building," Barraclough said. "And it's been historically accurate ever since."

Although still under construction, the museum hasn't been alone in the cleanup process.

Museum Director Ammie Bryant said she was thankful for the community's involvement in the project.

"We've had a lot of volunteers help with packing everything up and clearing everything out," Bryant said.

With plans to add about 540 square feet to its exhibit hall, the museum needed a few extra hands moving some items it didn't need anymore to other stores, Bryant said.

Shannon Mallory, an agribusiness junior, joined with several of his FarmHouse fraternity members to help with the process.

"I was happy to help and am excited to see how it will turn out," Mallory said. "I'm sure the museum is going be a great thing for Stillwater and for OSU students."