Cries are heeded, town has museum (part 2)

310 Broadway Street, Valley Falls, present site of the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum, was originally the McCammon Building and housed a variety of merchants over the years, including Coy and Hutchins Clothiers, Doolittle, Gillespie, and List Hardware stores, Sam Strawn's law office, and in later years was used to film the movie, "Kansas," starring Matt Dillon and Andrew McCarthy. In 1988, the society purchased this building and created a museum.

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Town Crier's cries were heeded. In bold black print, the Jan. 21, 1988, Valley Falls Vindicator reported "Historical Society Buys Building for Museum" with the follow-up story.

"The Valley Falls Historical Society now has a place to call home. The deed has been recorded and the society is now the owner of the List Building at 310 Broadway.

"The finance committee has collected $27,000 and the former owner, Mary List, has received her asking price of $18,750. 'We still have some pledges and a few people to call on,' Greever Allan, chairman of the finance committee, said Monday night. 'I'm confident we will meet our goal.'

"Serving with him on the committee are Kay Lassiter and Art Strawn. The committee's goal is $30,000 with the money  above the purchase price to be used to renovate the building and prepare it to house a museum and library.

"Frank Shrimplin, president of the society, said members are now beginning to devise plans for opening the building to the public and building its membership. 

"Allan asked members to use the new building as a springboard to motivate growth in membership. He said churches, schools, clubs, and lodges are all sources of history and the town's past and should be represented. Upkeep and monthly expenses will be ongoing costs needing broader support.

"Lassiter placed emphasis on the education of children, stating the local school was putting Valley Falls history in the curriculum. She said the museum will be a great benefit for that and urged the society to open the Historical Shrine Church more often for tourists and community visitors.

"Strawn, the society's historian, said he believed the community would respond in greater numbers and that the building would provide sustance and identity."

"Anxious to open the doors, members will plan an open house in conjunction with Grasshopper Falls Day late in April, 1988."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.