Seeking Pledges for RR Museum By: Jenny McCampbell [Click here to print article] The Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC), with its burgeoning Clinton Northern Railway Museum, is on the brink of having “a significant influence on the community by increasing tourism to St. Johns and by giving local residents a heightened awareness of their local history,” as stated in a report by Ed McManus, the chief conservator for the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute. In July 2007, Mr McManus assessed the artwork and railroad artifacts (including three historic rail cars) owned by CCAC. This was accomplished through a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant awarded to CCAC by the Institute for Museums and Library Services in Washington DC. The focus of Mr. McManus’ remarks were the three rail cars which were acquired by CCAC between 2005 and 2006. He particularly noted the “enthusiasm and commitment of the Clinton County Arts Council staff and volunteers and the viability of the museum with regard to local history and the history of the Grand Trunk Railway system that ran across central Michigan.” The three historic cars are: · A 1902 Barney & Smith Sault Ste. Marie sleeper car · A 1903 railroad post office and baggage car (RPO), also made by Barney & Smith · A 1926 Ann Arbor crew car, which was originally built as a box car The crew car has been repaired and painted inside, and lighting and display cases have been installed, so it already serves as a mini-museum. The RPO has been repaired and cleaned up enough for tours, but it has some major structural problems such as dry rot that require attention. The Sault Ste. Marie needs trucks (the wheels under a train car) and exterior painting. The interior has many of its original fittings, including luxurious upholstery, mahogany inlay and fine craftsmanship, but a large amount of work needs to be done to restore it to its original elegance. Ed McManus recommended in his report that the restoration of the three railcars be done in two phases: Phase I, the preservation and stabilization of the cars, includes providing all needed structural repairs, trucks, steel trusses, roof repairs, window repairs, exterior sheathing and painting, and interior HVAC requirements. Phase II is the full restoration of the interior of the cars. Phase I can be accomplished through a grant from the Institute for Museums and Library Services in Washington, DC, if CCAC is fortunate enough to be awarded one. A proposal for $150,000, which must be matched 1:1, is currently being prepared. Fortunately, much of the match can be made through volunteer labor and donated materials, but it is clearly expected that some of the match will be in the form of cash. Please help the community of St. Johns, Michigan, develop an exciting tourist attraction by making a contribution towards the goal of raising $20,000 in cash to help match the grant. This can be done by making a pledge in the amount of your choice, to be paid to CCAC in May 2008, or by making a direct contribution now, designated for the stabilization and preservation of the rail cars. The full CAP Report may be seen by going to www.clintoncountyarts.org. CLINTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL CLINTON NORTHERN RAILWAY MUSEUM 107 E. Railroad St., St. Johns, MI 48879 PH: 989.224.2429 Fax: 989.224.0470 ccarts@voyager.net www.clintoncountyarts.org PLEDGE FORM for the RESTORATION and PRESERVATION of THREE HISTORIC RAILCARS: A 1902 Barney & Smith Sault Ste. Marie sleeper car A 1903 railroad post office and baggage car (RPO), also made by Barney & Smith A 1926 Ann Arbor crew car, which was originally built as a box car I _______________________________________ (Please print your name.) pledge the amount of ___________________ dollars toward the stabilization and preservation of the above-named railcars of the Clinton Northern Railway Museum. I understand that this amount will be paid to the Clinton County Arts Council in May 2008. ______________________ ___________________________________________ Date Signature ___________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________ City State Zip Code ___________________________________________ Daytime Phone Evening Phone ___________________________________________ Email address