DELPHOS — Trustees of the Canal Commission Museum have been chosen to be this year’s grand marshals for the Canal Days Grand Parade.
Long-time members who have served 12 years and more showed up for the canal cleanup Saturday morning and spoke of their dedication to the museum.
Mike Miller and Betty McKowen both said it’s a matter of civic pride and a willingness to work to strive for the commission’s goals for the community.
Permanent members of the commission are the Rev. Chris Vasko and Lou Hohman. Other trustees are: Teresa Bradstock, Miller, Ed Ulrich, Ron Ahten, Dorothy Hoffman, McKowen, Elmer Hoffman, Jim Marihugh, Marilyn Wagner, Kay Ahten, Pete Hoffman, Fred Ruen, Linda Baker, Phil Campbell, Jacquie Fritz and Barbara Seffernick.
The Canal Commission Museum at 241 N. Main St. is currently in the midst of a fundraising project to erect a stairway to the second floor, an elevator to the basement and both floors and handicapped restrooms They have moved some displays to accomodate the upcoming work.
Featured on the first floor is a display with pamphlets on the Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. The museum has consolidated the bridal display with the oldest wedding dress dating back to 1892 for the wedding of Rosina Williams and Peter Schwinnen.
The military display has been moved to the north side of the first floor to make room for work on the new stairwell and the medical display where the new restrooms will be built will have to be moved, along with the schoolhouse display.
The basement currently holds numerous old-fashioned farm tools, as well as an old still and equipment and advertisements from past Delphos businesses.
The museum gift shop offers several items for sale: T-shirts, postcards and decks of playing cards showing old Delphos businesses and homes.
The museum will be open for special viewing hours during Canal Days as follows: Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
The commission has also set its annual German-style benefit dinner for Oct. 5. The menu includes brats and kraut and hot German potato salad. Pre-sale only tickets are $7 and meals can be picked up behind the museum in the canal parking lot between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are available from trustees during the Canal Days hours or call 419-692-4496 or 419-692-9217. Proceeds will help with the museum’s operating expenses.