Making History COME ALIVE
Heritage Center transforms past into present
BY LELAND ACKER

The history of Cherokee County is alive and well in a beige building located on Henderson Street

in Rusk, as the Heritage Center

of Cherokee County maintains a collection of artifacts, memorabilia, photos and items from the county's rich history.

Workers at the museum volunteer their time so that visitors can view their history free of charge. The absence of admission fees, however, means that the museum board has to find other ways to pay the bills.

Kevin Stingley, president of the Heritage Center, said the museum is currently holding a membership drive to raise money to keep the museum open yearround. Currently, the museum has less than 60 percent of what is needed to stay open through 2008.

"It covers the light bills, operations expenses and building insurance," he said, "Not to mention upgrades on displays and conservation materials to upgrade the museum."

Mr. Stingley said the museum operates completely on membership dues and donations.

"We don't charge for admission," he said. "You shouldn't have to pay to see your history."

The museum is able to operate without charging admission because it has low overhead.

"None of our workers or board members get paid, they are all volunteer," he said.

Visitors to the museum are able to visit displays of ancient Caddoan artifacts, pictures from Rusk College and artifacts from the natives of Vietnam.

"These are Smithsonian quality items that you won't find in many of the large national museums," Mr. Stingley said. "The Caddoan artifacts are as good as any you'll find. Anyone will enjoy touring the museum. It's free and it only takes about 35 minutes. There is something in there you will like."

The museum sells memberships because it is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Mr. Stingley said.

"Rusk has been great," he said. "Visitors leave donations and the businesses of Cherokee County have been very generous supporters."

Mr. Stingley said in addition to keeping the museum open, he would like to see upgrades made to the displays.

"The display cases we have now are flat department store cases, not museum displays. Museum cases will cost $2,000, each," Mr. Stingley said. "Making the upgrades recommended by the Texas Historic Commission will cost a few thousand dollars."

Kevin Stingley, president of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County, enlists Joann Jackson Creel as a member to the museum. The museum currently has less than 60 percent of the finances needed to stay open in 2008.

Needed upgrades to the museum include new roofing tiles and replacing the garage door with a metal door, Mr. Stingley said, explaining that the museum is not completely weather-proof. In the past, the roof has leaked during rainy days.

Those wishing to purchase a museum membership may do so by contacting Mr. Stingley at (903) 683-5643, or by mailing a donation to the Heritage Center of Cherokee County, P.O. Box 974, Rusk, TX 75785. The museum will be closed the last two weekends in December, but will reopen in January.

Museum hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.