The Van Buren County Historical Museum is set to undergo a building renovation.
At the last Van Buren County Board of Commissioners meeting, a contract was approved to address damage from a severe wind storm sustained to the museum in 2022.
County administrator John Faul mentioned that some remaining ARPA funds will also be utilized for improvements to enhance the building.
“They were keeping care of the building through grants and contributions and whatnot,” Faul says. “Sadly, unfortunately, a couple of years ago, a straight windstorm really, really damaged the building. Through the county and insurance proceeds, we replaced the roof and some of the walls.”
The restoration project, which has a total budget of $52,989, will be carried out by Building Restoration INC., focusing on brick and wall repairs. Faul says that this initiative is important to maintaining the museum’s operations and serves as a reminder to residents about their historical roots.
“It’s just an awesome place to visit to take your family and walk through and get a real sense of what life was back in the day,” Faul says. “I believe they have individuals there who will show things like Smith working or leather working or things that were just a significant part of our past.”
The Van Buren Historical Museum showcases historic photographs, memorabilia, and various documents that reflect the rich past of Van Buren County. It is located at 58471 Red Arrow Highway in Hartford.
