ABOVE: The still covered old Bresee Tower Siren, to be unveiled during the 1 PM Saturday, April 4th “First Saturday” event. The Civil Defense siren was damaged during a 160 feet fall while Bresee Tower was being torn down (see pictures below).
The First Saturday events at the Vermilion County War Museum have moved upstairs from winter’s “Fireside Chats” now that spring has arrived. The April 4th program will start at 1:00 p.m. It will begin with the unveiling of the Civil Defense siren that was atop the Breese Tower for decades. The siren was severely damaged after falling over one hundred sixty feet during demolition. “We saw pictures that were posted on Facebook,” Larry Weatherford, President and Executive Director of the War Museum said.
“We thought that the siren, with its history, even though damaged by the fall, might fit nicely in our Cold War area. So, the city retrieved it from the scrap pile for us. We weighed options on how to present it. I called my friend Joey White at Ceaders Collision Repair and asked if he might be able to clean it up for us. White said, “We answered “yes” and the preservation turned into a labor of love for us at Ceaders.” And Weatherford says that he couldn’t be more pleased. “We sincerely appreciate the endless hours, hard work and money to “preserve” the siren. The damage from the fall still shows in places because it was a preservation rather than a complete renovation. It’s mounted on a stand and even features a low- level siren sound. I believe that people will like the way it memorializes the Breese Tower.”
Following the unveiling, Museum Volunteer and U.S. Navy veteran Frank Lemezis will present “Who Was Kilroy? And why was he here?” We’ll explore the myth and the true story regarding the little drawing and sign that seemed to pop up everywhere during World War I.
Admission is free on the First Saturday of each month during America’s 250th birthday year, with a special program each month at 1:00 p.m.
