Guess we have the answer... The GAH is here to stay ! I like the fact that although the building is owned by the State of Illinois, it will be maintained by private donations and funds. Great to see that at least Punkin and Annie will no longer be in never-never land. Two separate entities, but contact Lynn Gipson to volunteer. I would think you would contact Jim Bradford, the Chairman of the board.
I don't think they are going to wear out any "Welcome Mat" being as the amount of traffic off the beaten path will never amount to much ... The same amount of people will see it in Sparta in two weeks as would see it in Ohio at the Cardinal Center in one day ... This will not be an attraction like the POPEYE museum , that is for sure ... Well, the good thing about it is one of the Sparta residents will get into the HOF , though only as a visitor ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
I agree with one of your earlier posts below. "everything should have stayed in Vandalia ..in my opinion."
http://www.traphof.org/ I saw a picture of Punkin standing at the new museum... Brad, your Gal has been released from the Ohio prison and will soon be standing at attention in her new home. The THOF web site says they began moving items on March 14th. Now, how can anyone dispute the fact that the GRAND will be held in Sparta forever ? The BOT of the THOF wanted the museum to be with the Grand, so this has to be the home for a good long time. I wish them well !
The move might be a little pre mature being as the ATA, IDNR, have not announced any absolute date , amount of short term rental or lease agreement, out come of the negotiations as of yet ... To make such a move on speculation is totally ridiculous with so many "What ifs" still floating around and when the State seems to keep on getting into more and more problems on an almost daily basis ... I personally do not know of one person who has gotten anything conclusive other than rumor that the grand will be in Sparta, Ill in 2016, so they have not made any plans to attend ... The attendance will really be down if they don't notify anyone of what is going on pretty soon ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
The Grand is at Sparta to stay??? You must have some inside information even the IDNR and ATA don't have.
I saw the below update from THOF operations manager, Tami Daniel, posted on Facebook : Over 400 boxes, with over 5,000 items have all been upacked. The library is coming together and the displays are being set. We had an awesome media event this morning. In attendance: 3 separate news agencies, 3 county commissioners, 1 state representative, 2 Hurst Design associates, 1 Poetker Construction associate, and 6 Sparta Chamber affiliates. The chamber presented the museum with the first ten years of the Sparta ATA coins, all the #1 coin in the series. Everyone was thrilled. The excitement is palpable. I could not be happier with this smooth transition. Enjoy Our History !
Glad to see it's finally coming together Kenny... Too bad it's not at the Cardinal Center, or Vandalia, but, it is what it is... Better this than just sitting in storage...
Thanks HB for posting this ! Talk about a LOT of work ! I assume Tami is out there keeping a smooth flow...She is remarkable !
I will visit it this Aug. while at the Grand. I hope it will be safe for many years to come. Roger C.