Historical museum readies for 2015

Pentwater Historical Society volunteers (left to right) Doug Bacon, Amy LaBarge, Dick Johnson, Ed Bigelow, Ron Christians, Jim Gehringer, Roger MacLeod, Larry Hulburt, Glenn Beavis and Mike Castor gather around the trash dumpster they filled. Not pictured are Norm Shotwell and Ron Beeber.

Museum Director Ed Bigelow and Amy LaBarge look at one of the museum’s most recent acquisitions — the print of Gilbert Stuart’s famous 1796 unfinished oil painting of George Washington that for many years hung in the old Pentwater School top-floor assembly room. Local resident Bill Lovell purchased it for $1.50 just prior to the school’s demolition in 1967.

Story and photos contributed by Ron Beeber.

PENTWATER — Even though a dozen Pentwater Historical Society volunteers

might be battling clutter in their own basements, they happily teamed up Wednesday, Dec. 10, to rid the historical museum’s lower level of unneeded stuff.

“It’s really a labor of love,” said Glenn Beavis, chair of

the museum’s building and grounds committee. “This is the first step of our

winter renovation of the museum’s lower level and a back room on the main floor.  We’re adding workspace where PHS volunteers can prepare artifacts for display.” The project includes a new ceiling, walls, electrical, lighting and paint.

Since the museum relocated from a small basement room in the village hall to the Pentwater Baptist Church’s former 120-year-old sanctuary, the museum has

received a number of new Pentwater-related artifacts donated by people who

Glenn Beavis holds another recent museum acquisition — photos of the oil well fire north of Pentwater in May, 1949 that was put out by a team that included famed oil well firefighter Red Adair of Texas.

heard about the grand opening last spring.

“2015 will be a really exciting year for us,” said museum Director Ed Bigelow. “And it just wouldn’t be possible without the help of so many who have a connection to and love for Pentwater.”