1897 JAIL MUSEUM LOOKS FOR HELP
Monday, April 6th, 2009 -- 2:28 PM
The caretakers of the [url=http://wvls.lib.wi.us/ClarkCounty/clark/societies/index.htm#Neillsville]1897 Clark County Jail Museum[/url] are preparing for another busy year, and are looking for some more help.The Museum?s Board will hold their monthly meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the 1897 Jail, located next to the Clark County Courthouse on E. 5th Street.
"We keep begging for more people. Begging to keep the Jail open," laments Bonnie Koeberl, who serves on the board.
But the small group continues improving the exhibit.
"We've never had the kitchen before. This year, when we open, we'll show you the kitchen," Koeberl explains, "We'll have a new display upstairs of all the churches that are 100 years or more in Clark County."
An exhibit of the history of radio remains on display as well.
Built in 1897 and used by Clark County until the mid-70s, the Richardsonian Romanesque-style structure is a study in contrasts; the Sheriff?s living quarters are done in ornately Victorian style, while the jail itself is bare and cold.
It?s a treasure that is open for group tours by request, and summer weekends.
"We need at least 4 people every Sunday. If we get busy it gets pretty hard," she says, "This past year, we really blossomed. We had, almost every week, busloads coming in."
If you would like more information about the 1897 Jail Museum, or if you?d like to help out, Bonnie says a good first call would be to the Neillsville Chamber of Commerce at 743-6444.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.