Workmen are shown moving the Saratoga depot from along the railroad tracks near the sawmill at the east end of Bridge Street to its present location east across Highway 130 from the airport in May of 1979. Funds for the move were received from hundreds of contributors. The structure now houses the Saratoga Museum and its extensive collection.
Dear Editor,
Establishing a local museum to preserve our rich history and heritage is hard, but not nearly as tough as maintaining one.
A bold statement, yet I feel I can back it up having help found and then maintain both the Saratoga and Grand Encampment Museums since the 1960s.
Both museums have been recipients of hundreds of photos, manuscripts, historical items, newspapers, printing presses, pamphlets, programs, treks and funds from the Bob Martin/Dick Perue collection. And yes, both have equally preserved and shared these donations.
At present the Saratoga Museum is fighting for its existence and needs everyone's help to continue. The Saratoga Historical & Cultural Association board of directors initiated a successful signature drive to further fund the Museum through a one mill levy in the Saratoga/Ryan Park Museum District only.
Having obtained the necessary signatures to establish the district supporters are now awaiting a public hearing and the blessing of the Carbon County Commissioners to place it on the ballot in November.
I was asked to help with the signature drive and frankly was pleasantly surprised that the necessary signatures could be obtained in such a short time and with little opposition from those being taxed. Congratulations to the SH&CA board and volunteers for their tireless work. Fifty years ago establishing a special tax district was a slam dunk. Now, as other proposals for a county or area museum district have discovered, tax districts are a hard sell.
Despite recent reports, passage of this measure will NOT prevent other county museums from forming districts.
Please, please, I beg all of you to throw your support behind this proposal by immediately writing to the Carbon County Clerk, Box 6, Rawlins, WY 82301, e-mail [email protected] or attending the hearing before the County Commissioners at 11:15 a.m. June 16 in the courthouse in Rawlins.
And when it is on the ballot, support it! Your Saratoga Museum is worth visiting and saving!
Between now and election time I will present articles and photos of local history preserved in our Saratoga Museum.
Dick Perue
A founder & supporter of
Saratoga Museum
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