By Judy Reed

It was a long time coming but worth the wait. The Cedar Springs Historical Museum in Morley Park officially held an open house Saturday to show off the new addition and many artifacts they were never able to show before. What they have is a treasure trove of Cedar Springs history that you won’t find anywhere else.
“We still have a lot to add, and we’ll keep polishing it,” said Museum Director Sharon Jett.
The museum has made many of the exhibits hands-on and included cards about the exhibits that patrons can take with them. One of the more striking exhibits is that of an Indian wigwam, which is still under construction. It features many tools used by the Indians. Another is the exhibit dedicated to the railroad, including a large photo of one of our old railroad depots. Other exhibits in the new addition include a livery stable, millinery and dressmaker shop, a general store, a doctor’s office, lumbering exhibit, and Clipper newspaper exhibit. There are many photos of Main Street from the 1880s. Coming soon to that area will also be a jail cell, with some of the bars from the original jail cell in Cedar Springs.
As you walk in the door of the museum, there is an exhibit dedicated to our firefighters, including an old engine from the late 1800s. Other exhibits in the front portion include a military exhibit, old-fashioned kitchen, living room, and a barn. The boards on the barn floor are 14-inches wide, and made from the tree that was cut down in Morley Park to make room for the new addition.
The genealogy area has grown and includes a desk from the old Rockford railroad station. There are many references for those researching family history.
Historical Society President Fred Gunnell was pleased with the way the open house went. “We had a nice turnout, and the boy scouts did a great job,” he said, referring to the lunches they served.
The museum is usually open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jett said that they will also be open on Veteran’s Day, November 11, and will have special military books, uniforms, and other paraphernalia out. A Chinook helicopter will be landing here in Cedar Springs for the occasion. Watch the Post for more details!