Photo By Master Sgt. Brad Staggs | Kathy Speer, administrative assistant at the Muscatatuck Museum at Muscatatuck Urban...... read more read more
MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, Ind. – On October 12, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center will be holding an Open House to celebrate the facility’s 100th anniversary. To prepare for the event, the MUTC Public Affairs personnel have been busy getting items ready at the Muscatatuck Museum.
The museum opened in 2010, originally housed in building 5530, the original Hospital Assistant Administrator’s family home and later, the dental office. Over the years, donations of items relating to the 85-year history of the Muscatatuck State School (or State Developmental Center, as it was later called) have poured in, causing us, happily, to run out of room. A larger building was needed to house the Museum and Media Center.
Luckily, we are never in a short supply of buildings at MUTC. Building 5208 was chosen for the next museum space not only for the added space, but also because it is one of the oldest buildings still in continuous use on the site, built in 1933.
Having a larger space for the museum has allowed us to display pieces which we have never had room for before. Larger pieces such as the original piano and organ from the Chapel along with the 1860 Baldwin Square Grand Piano now have their own places among the collection. Former employees who worked with ceramics will be happy to see the display of ceramic molds with the kiln used to bake client-made crafts. We even have a few finished pieces on display.
New historical pieces, as well as pieces which have been part of the collection for several years, must be taken care of in order to preserve the history of the Muscatatuck facility. Kathy Speer, administrative assistant, is sorting through original blueprints dating back to 1920 which tell a history all unto themselves. Erin Anderson, part of the Atterbury-Muscatatuck Center for Complex Operations Public Affairs team and a museum curator in her off-time, has taken charge of creating informative and entertaining displays while ensuring that all archival items are accounted for.
As museum curator, I take great pride to ensure that the items on display are visually appealing. My current project involves taking apart one of our two 1927 Strong/Brenkert 35mm projectors in order to clean it piece by piece and create a stunning display with it.
We invite members of the public to stop by the Muscatatuck Museum, dedicated to the history of this fabulous facility. Our hours at building 5208 are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday but you need to call us at 317.247.3300 ext 41610 for admission to the facility.
The Muscatatuck Urban Training Center Open House takes place on Saturday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. There will be military displays, paintball shooting, a petting zoo featuring Sahara the Camel, The Indiana Pacers Fan Van from noon until 2:00 p.m., free food and drink, and games for the kids.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2019 16:45 |
| Story ID: | 335911 |
| Location: | BUTLERVILLE, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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