The little museum that could has endured 50 years and this summer they are celebrating this milestone.
The Homestead Antique Museum celebrates the human history of the valley and surrounding areas. It looks at the social, economic and family fabric of the past that holds together today. Many of the family names that are attached to the exhibits are still alive and well in these hills of home.
Gilles Danis, manager of the museum explains the museum was founded by a small group of area residents wanting to preserve the history.
“There were 11 homesteaders who thought that times were getting modern, their families were going to take over their farms, and very likely what they owned was going to be sent away to be dumped. So they thought they would do something with it,” explains Danis. “As well, some of those guys liked to restore antiques, such as cars and machinery.”
“They all got together and pooled their resources. The museum was supposed to represent not objects as such, but the people, the homesteaders, it’s their story. It’s the culture, the society and the industry.
Danis said these were the homesteaders who came and broke the land and eked out a life, raising their families.
The museum opened its doors on June 7, 1965, on a parcel owned by the Brilliant Mine.
They succeeded under the legendary dome with an eclectic collection of cars, truck, farm implements, as well as items from their homes, places of businesses, farms, professional offices and institutions. There are items that celebrate Monday morning at work and Saturday night at the dances halls throughout the area.
This summer they are celebrating this milestone on Saturday, July 25. The celebration starts at 10 a.m. It includes live music from past president Murray Johnson, who will be bringing his fiddle to get toes tapping. They are also hoping for an appearance from Bert Hoy.
There will also be more musicians as well as snacks and representation from the Atlas Coal Mine and other museums to help celebrate. Any funds raised at the event will go to the operations of the museum, so it can continue preserving memories for another 50 years.
