JAIL MUSEUM SET TO OPEN
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 -- 10:40 AM
Stepping into the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum in Neillsville really is like stepping into a time machine.Built in 1897, and used by Clark County until the mid-70s, the Richardsonian Romanesque-style structure is a study in contrasts; the Sheriff?s living quarters are done in ornately Victorian style, while the jail itself is bare and cold.
A small, but extremely dedicated, group of volunteers continues, not only to maintain the building, but add special touches.
Shirley Anderson of the Museum says their season gets underway this weekend, when the museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday and Memorial Day.
"We have many things here that people will be interested in," Anderson says. "We have Victorian items, and furniture. The jail is very interesting for the kids, especially when we close the door on them."
Located on East 5th Street, right next to the Courthouse, the museum is open to visitors on Sundays during the summer and tours with an appointment.
Anderson also says a lot of area 5th graders get to take field trips to the museum.
"They have a close connection with us. We certainly invite all the young people to come and participate. Be a part of it. We have junior membership. They're very welcome to come help, put on displays, guide tours. We very much enjoy having them," Anderson says.
If you haven?t been to the museum in a couple years, you?ll want to stop down and check out the new kitchen, complete with wonderful examples of appliances from days gone by, like the Monarch range and the 1929 GE refrigerator.
And the museum has a rotating display room. This year?s exhibit is called Photos from the Past: Snapshots of Clark County.
"There was so much more in the area than people may realize today," Anderson notes. "Things have come and gone."
Before automobiles, people couldn't travel as far to shop. That led to many small communities having their own stores, breweries and butcher shops. At one time, the area boasted 16 grocery stores, Anderson says.
The museum is open to visitors on Sundays through Labor Day, from 1-4 p.m. Tours are also welcomed. You can call the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce at 743-6444 for tour information.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.