In 2006, the Pulaski County Historical Society received a gift, this property at 500 South Monticello Street, from Don and Dee Galbreath. A condition of the transfer of the deed was established as well, an agreement that a fund would be established at the Community Foundation. This fund was to allow the Society to forever care for the property, a most generous gift for which the Society remains grateful.
The warranty deed and agreement were signed on December 27, 2006. In the agreement, the Galbreaths also retained a life interest in the property. The Society did not expect to take possession until the death of both Don and Dee. Operations continued as they had always, in a museum that was not environmentally controlled, and with the ability to be open Saturdays only during certain months.
The Society, when established in the 1960s, was given the use of a County-owned property, what the Society refers to as the Quonset Hut, for a museum. As the years rolled on, the building deteriorated. As the building deteriorated, so also did the Society’s artifacts and papers.
In 2016, ten years after the original gift, the Galbreaths decided they wanted to move the museum to the property while they were still living. This would allow the Society to make partial use of the property while the family still maintained residence. Both parties moved forward together to make it happen.
This, of course, expanded the value of the gift given in 2006. The plan provided for the renovation of the carriage house on the north side of the property. The carriage house would provide a modest space for exhibits and modest storage in the full basement and attic – all environmentally controlled – in addition to garden space and parking.
In the fall of 2016, quotes for renovation were received and the Society wrote a grant proposal to the Indiana Historical Society’s Heritage Foundation. In March 2017, IHS announced that the Pulaski County Historical Society was awarded a grant of $50,000 to support moving the museum. Those funds, combined with additional generous support from Don and Dee Galbreath and contributions from several other organizations, allowed work to begin.
Work continued through 2017, and in January of 2018, the transfer of items from the old museum to the new began. On August 4, 2018, an open house was held for Society members.
Following more work on exhibits, a Grand Opening was held on December 1, 2018. With thanks to all of our donors – Don & Dee Galbreath, Indiana Historical Society, BraunAbility, Carroll White REMC Operation Round Up, DeGroot Technology, Fulton County REMC Operation Round Up and Kankakee Valley REMC Operation Round Up – we were open to the public and ready for business!
This gift will not be forgotten.
Please take time on a Saturday to visit the Historical Society Museum. It is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, providing both physical artifacts and a digital glimpse into our history. It’s The Story Of Us.