Lewis outlines vision of the future museum

Colleen Doggett

Jerry Lewis of JC Lewis Construction and chairman of the preservation committee of the Shelby County Historical Commission (SCHC) outlined the committee’s vision for a future museum to the Center Noon Lions Club on Thursday, May 31 at the Windham Civic Center.
The SCHC’s goal is to raise the money through donations and grants to preserve the Old Clerk’s Building on the Center square by renovating the inside to house the Shelby County Museum and History Center (for genealogy research). It will take a large sum to bring the building up to code, maintain the central air at a controlled temperature and equip the interior with the interactive components that will make the museum an inviting and interesting place to visit.
The Old Clerk’s Building will be 100 years old in 2013, having been completed in 1913. Although the architect and construction crew were from Dallas, Shelby County Superintendent was J.J.E. Gibson, who designed and built the 1885 Historic Courthouse. Gibson oversaw the day-to-day construction of the Clerk’s Building, and the exterior structure is sound.
Plans for the future museum include a meeting room that can be utilized by the Shelby County Historical Commission, the Shelby County Historical Museum Society and other groups needing space for presentations and programs. It is the mission of SCHC to design and construct a museum that will be attractive and information and fun for all ages who visit.
The Shelby County Historical Commission and the Shelby County Historical Museum Society invite the community to become involved and help make the envisioned museum a reality. The mailing address for the SCHC is PO Box 623, Center, TX 75935 for suggestions, questions, volunteers for work, donations, etc.