LOWELL -- A fundraising campaign has started for the Lowell Historical Museum in hopes of having enough money for a new building in two years.
Liz Estes, executive director, said the museum plans to move to 307 Bellview Road in the planned Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park. The museum would expand from 2,000 to 10,000 square feet, she said.
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For more information on the museum, visit museum.lowellarkans…
"The museum needs to expand," Estes said. "We have artifacts that we can't display. We can't take additional donations because we don't have a place to store them."
The museum also would serve as a community center, Estes said. A room capable of holding 100 people will be included, she said. Another room will focus on children and could draw school groups. Another will highlight veterans' history, Estes said.
Becoming a place where the community can gather and celebrate the city is a goal, Estes said.
"We need a place in Lowell where children can showcase their accomplishments," Estes said. "Students can exhibit art projects at the facility. We want to keep the children involved in the past history and celebrate their future history."
Cost estimates are being worked out and a fundraising board was formed, Estes said
The Lowell Historical Museum Foundation of Northwest Arkansas will operate as a nonprofit for fundraising purposes, Estes said.
Dianna Lankford will be the board chairman for the foundation. The Tennessee native lives in Bentonville.
"The vision for the museum is very contagious," Lankford said. "It seems to me there is a rich history in the Lowell area, and I really think it is our responsibility to preserve that history for generations to come. I want to be a part of that."
Lankford said she has a history of working on nonprofit boards in Tennessee, including United Way and the Dixie Performing Arts Center. That experience should help her lead the museum board, she said.
The museum has been at 304 Jackson Place since the 1990s.
Estes previously said the downtown building needs repairs. About $20,000 is needed to repair the roof and siding that was damaged by hail. Another $20,000 is needed to fix structural issues.
Water is seeping under the building causing humidity that could damage artifacts, she said.
A city committee was developed last year to discussion options for the museum.
Linda Vannoy, a City Council member and member of the committee, said the museum needs more space. Parking has been an issue for many years.
"A new facility will give the museum room for growth and make it possible for them to sponsor more events within the city that will hopefully draw people here to see the museum," Vannoy said.
NW News on 05/19/2016