OLD IS NEWAGAIN

Gann Museum gets improvements after storm damage

By Elizabeth Pannell

LITTLE ROCK — The Gann Museum of Saline County is housed in a quaint bauxite building filled with treasures, from American Indian artifacts to children's items.

With recent flood and storm damage, the museum in Benton had to close its doors in order to replace displays, carpet and artifacts. It is back open, but with a few changes, including a new executive director.

Diane Holt, a native of Bauxite, returned to Saline County from Little Rock, after retirement to serve as the executive director of the museum. Holt said she has "enjoyed renewing acquaintances with old friends and getting back to my roots."

"I missed little things like the sound of the courthouse clock and the train going by in the distance," Holt said. "This just fits me like a glove."

Museum Chairwoman Dorcas Holicer said the museum's newest exhibit features photographs of several Benton mayors. It will be on display until the November election.

"We spent many hours trying to find photos and information from Benton's mayors," Holicer said. "The exhibit has the mayors from 1907 to the present and lists a project they completed they are most proud of."

While the building was being repaired from damage caused by storms, the museum brought in a curator from the Old State House Museum in Little Rock to suggest exhibit improvements.

"Some of the changes include new carpet, and we replaced some display cases to improve our displays," Holicer said. "We also got newlighting. Now we have more of a professional look."

Holicer, a board member since the museum's opening, said future exhibits at the museum include a Valentine's exhibit and a display for Black History month.

"Right now we are just trying to finish out this year," Holicer said. "Then in February we will begin with some new exhibits like the Valentine's exhibit, which will feature old Valentine's from around the area."

The Gann Museum of Saline County was founded in 1980 by a group of residents who thought Benton needed a museum. Holicer and Gwen Webb were both founding memb er s , a nd Webb s a id since the beginning they have "learned a lot."

The building, at 218 S. Market St., was donated by the family of Dr. Dewall Gann Sr. The former doctor's office is the only building in the country made of bauxite, Holicer said, which was built by Gann's patients who could not pay their doctor bills. The uniquebuilding also features two entrances, one for men and one for women.

"Back then men and women were not allowed to sit in the same waiting room, so there are two entrances," Webb said.

The museum is funded entirely by donations from the Friends of the Museum.

Holicer said they have "300-plus members" who give donations in varying amounts.

Memberships range from $5 for students to $500 or more for a benefactor. There is also a $100 membership given in honor of a former member, Jerrene Holiman.

Holicer said the board will develop a PowerPoint presentation in order to generate interest with the schools and civic organizations.

The board also plans on starting a teacher program, so more educators can bring their classes to tour the facilities.

"We have a few classes that come out every year, but we want more," Holicer said.

"With the teacher program, we will invite the teachers out to tour the museum so hopefully they will want to bring their students to the museum. We want to attract young peopleto the museum, too." The museum is open 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and by appointment.

- epannell@ arkansasonline.com

Tri-Lakes, Pages 125, 126 on 10/05/2008