Danville — The Vermilion County War Museum will soon receive a technology and display upgrade thanks to the Vermilion County Commission and an allocation of ARPA (American Relief Plans Act) funding from the federal government.
District 7 Board Member Jerry Hawker said: So I spoke with Rhea and Larry Weatherford and learned that the Vermilion County War Museum could use some help. I knew how hard they worked. Instead of telling us what we would like to donate to, we asked for a list of projects and areas we could support for the museum. “
Hawker said interest in the museum grew about four years ago when he and his granddaughter Suzanne attended the museum’s open house.
“Suzanne was literally drawn into the stories and the people behind the artifacts when Larry showed us around. That was when I knew how important this museum was to the community. said Hawker.
Mr. Hawker and County Board Chairman Larry Vaughn visited the museum and spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford.
The two also spoke with museum board chair James Kouzmanoff, treasurer Coretta Johnson, and other board members and volunteers.
The first item on Weatherfords’ wish list impressed both Hawker and Baughn. This is a computer system containing the Vermilion County Veterans Database that lists everyone in the area who served in the United States Armed Forces, dating back to Revolutionary War veterans who immigrated to Vermilion County in the late 1700s and early 1800s. . That list goes on and on through the people we serve today.In addition to the names traversing the wall’s giant LED screens, it enables access to ‘scanned’ photos, stories and original documents.
“We plan to digitize many of the collections we have or have access to for individual servicemen and regiments. For example, hundreds of pages of documents on John Charles and William Black, There were scans of photographs, speeches and stories, both of which were awarded the Medal of Honor for their Civil War service,” Larry Weatherford said.
The museum displays tens of thousands of artifacts dating back to the 1700s, says Weatherford. “
Weatherford already has plans to expand the system in mind.
“I would love to see videos produced in a small studio in the same room.
Board member Tara Autor added: Some of our volunteers and board members have broadcasting, video production and public speaking experience to help make this happen. “
Ultimately, Weatherford envisions adding video kiosks to other parts of the building and mini theaters.
Baughn said: We are happy to help future generations learn more about the impact their ancestors had on the history of our region. War Museums tell stories that are so important to our youth today. I’m here. We need to make sure the sacrifices made by local military personnel are always here for future generations to learn from. “
“We see the video system as the first step in helping war museums,” said Hawker. “There are other areas that have been pointed out to us that we believe will help the county make the museum a showcase to honor our veterans.”
Weatherford agrees. It’s hard to express how grateful I am for this help and support. “
Alan Woodrum, Broadcast and Electronics Engineer at IAC Communications, designs, builds, and installs the war museum’s video system.
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