West Lafayette Museum plans open house

The newly remodeled West Lafayette Museum will hold an open house on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 2-6 p.m. A program on the troop train tragedy will be presented at 5 p.m. The museum is located at 312 W. Main St. Circle K is across the street, and the car wash is beside it.

Christy Patterson, secretary and committee member, said there is a new enamel display showing West Lafayette’s history as being the enamel capital of the world. There also are displays for the troop train accident, West Lafayette Homecoming, Stone Fort and advertising.

“Not all of the rooms and displays are complete,” Patterson said.

The museum has been closed for renovations, and the committee is working to get everything back on display.

Patterson said Dale Gress had a small room in his real estate office that held items from West Lafayette’s history. When the displays outgrew that room, he bought the building the museum is in now. Dan and June Markley and Bob and Carol Nelson also helped with the museum.

“When Dan and June passed away, their children donated many items from their collection to the museum, and we are eternally grateful for that. Many memorial contributions were donated in memory of Dan, June and Carol.”

The museum now has a board of directors and is an LLC. “We are waiting on our 501(c)(3) now,” Patterson said.

Museum staff also will be available on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 5-7 p.m. to answer any questions the community may have. There will be a special ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11 to commemorate the troop train accident on the 75th anniversary. This will be at 11 a.m. at the troop train monument. There will be a short introduction and program. The museum will be open following this. There is no charge for admission, but donations are always welcome.