Every once in a while, someone calls with an odd item they wish to donate. Sometimes these are large and heavy and of unusual providence. And although a donation of this sort doesn’t fit the typical flow of pledges, memberships and artifacts on which we rely to remain open… sometimes they’re quite exciting and surprisingly useful!
That is certainly the situation here… as this century old display case is one for the record books. Roger and Ann Ray, formerly of Wake Forest and now living in Nash County, recently phoned Executive Director Ed Morris to ask if he’d like to have this twelve foot piece. First used in a general store, it later served as a movie theater concession stand and had been sitting in an old barn ever since. Quite simply, it needed some work. But its dimensions perfectly fit the back wall of the main exhibit gallery and Ed wasn’t about to miss out on a windfall.
Drawing on his experience as head of North Carolina’s State Historic Sites, Ed has since spent time cleaning, sanding and painting the old oak. Some of the oversized glass panes were cracked and broken, and will be replaced with plexiglass. When fully restored, the display case will occupy the rear wall of the Sports Exhibit, where it will hold Wake Forest College trophies, photos, game balls and other artifacts. As part of this reorganization, the museum will also build a new display markign the history of sports at Wake Forest Rolesville High School.
So when you next visit the museum, we’ll have some changes in store. And if you have any unusual items you wish to donate, please give us a call.
It seems we could use a nice grandfather clock.