Vermilion County War Museum has Reopened with New Attractions; Board President Promises More to Come

(ABOVE) The New MEDAL OF HONOR ROOM at the Vermilion County War Museum.

The Vermilion County War Museum, in the old Danville Public Library building at 307 North Vermilion, had been closed for a while due to some major work on new and updated exhibits.  But they reopened with their brand new look this past Saturday (March 2nd).  Museum Board Chairman Jim Kouzmanoff says they may be done with needing to close, but they are not done with new surprises.  And that includes this year.

AUDIO: It’s amazing, what the place has turned into, you might say.  With rebuilding the Medal of Honor Room, and creating new exhibits.  And belief it or not, we’re not done yet!

The War Museum’s hours continue to be Noon to 4 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 10 to 4 on Saturday.

Also, a special week is coming up March 25th through 29th; which will start with Medal of Honor Day, and continue through Vietnam Veterans Day.

PRESS RELEASE ON REOPENING:

The Vermilion County War Museum will be re-opening this Saturday, March 2nd, following remodeling. Several new exhibits, spaces and rooms will be open. Those include a Media/Technology Center which features an area for recording videos with veterans, an 85-inch TV screen for videos, research and historical programming, a library and displays.

The Medal of Honor Hall is now complete with uniforms like those worn by each of the local recipients, storyboards and displays. A new downstairs display area is also open with new exhibits and a coffee bar for visitors, volunteers, and veterans. Painting and “freshening” has been completed in many areas of the museum as well. A new World War II Jeep desk is at the sign-in area for visitors downstairs. Various displays have been changed or updated throughout the Museum as well.

War Museum Vice President Larry Weatherford said, “We think that visitors will like the new look and feel of the Museum and enjoy learning about and seeing all our new items and displays. We also have plans for a soon-to-be constructed interactive children’s area. That should be in place by late spring or early summer. Curator Ron Bolser said, “An Open House to commemorate and celebrate our 25th Anniversary is being planned for later in the year. The War Museum opened on Veterans Day of 1999. Special observances of military holidays are also planned throughout the year.”

The Vermilion County War Museum is located at 307 North Vermilion Street in Danville. The 14,000 square foot building was originally Danville’s Carnegie Library. Museum President Jim Kouzmanoff reminds visitors that “Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. We do have openings for volunteers in various areas. You can call 431-0034 or stop by the Museum for details.”