Museum receives grant for smart TVs, termite damage repair

By submitted, 02/12/20 4:04 PM

PRESCOTT – The Nevada County Depot and Museum received a $2,425 grant from the Division of Arkansas Heritage through the 2019 Small Museums Grant Program. This grant was made possible in part by a grant from the Division of Arkansas Heritage, funded by a 1/8 cent conservation tax, Amendment 75.

The Small Museum Grant was a two-part project. Part One of the project proposed to enhance the educational abilities of the Depot Museum by bringing the museum into the 21st Century by purchasing Smart TVs.  At the time of applying for the grant the Depot Museum had no electronic devices.  Having Smart TVs to use as educational devices would greatly increase the ability to educate the public on the history of the Civil War Battlefields in Nevada County, the train history in Prescott, as Prescott was founded around the railroad.  The Smart TVs would make possible opportunities for the development of workshops with PowerPoints, videos and photo slide presentations. Presentations on the history of the Depot Museum would be another avenue that would help engage people and pique their interest in the Museum and encourage them to become a patron or volunteer.  There are hundreds of photos of early Prescott, many photos of trains and train related photos and photos of historic landmarks, people and happenings in Prescott that could more readily be shared with visitors if Smart TVs were available to run photos, videos, slice presentations or short clips on. With technology so prominent in our society today the Depot Museum needed to update electronically in order to better educate and engage the public on the history of the Depot Museum, Prescott and Nevada County.  Part One of the grant funds were used to purchase three Smart TVs.  Since the purchase of the three Smart TVs several presentation PowerPoints have been presented to local groups showing the history of Prescott and the Depot Museum.  Currently there are slide presentations being shown on the TVs that depict early train days, early settlers, and Civil War information.

Part Two of the project proposal was to repair termite damage to interior door facings, (termites were eradicated and the area has been treated), repair peeling paint on baseboards in front entry room and Women’s bathroom and paint both Men and Women’s bathrooms.  The paint had discolored over the past 19 years since the museum was renovated in 2000.  There were nail and screw holes that needed to be repaired in both bathrooms.  With these grant funds we were able to repair the termite damage and paint the areas that needed it.

The needs of the museum are many, but we want to enhance its appearance and maintain the historic and attractive interior for generations to come. Maintaining and upgrading the interior of the museum is important.  First impressions are important and the museum wants the public to know we take pride in the upkeep of the museum.  The museum strives to also promote the history of Prescott and Nevada County in as many ways as possible and through electronics we are better able to do so. Many thanks to the Small Museum Grant Program for helping us to reach our goal of maintaining the integrity of the Museum and further educating the public.

The Nevada County Depot and Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Stop by and see what great things are happening.  We love to Share the History.