Exhibitions
Step into the past through exhibitions that highlight the people, places, and stories that define Decatur County. Through artifacts, photographs, and local narratives, our exhibits connect visitors to the everyday lives and historic moments that have shaped our community.
Voting Machines
Back before computers, after paper ballots became obsolete, voters went to machines like this, closed the curtain, and voted for the candidates of their choice.
Phone Booths
Are you old enough to remember phone booths? What a great gift to the Museum!
Switchboards
Way before cell phones, calls were made possible by operators who used switchboards like these. Both were recovered locally; one still bears military-essential numbers, such as The Pentagon.
River Travel
Visualize yourself sitting on the deck of the steamboat John W. Callahan back in the early 1900s. This might have been the rocker you sat on.
Native Artifacts
Through generous donations from enthusiasts, there is quite a nice collection of arrowheads and other archeological finds from the area.
Cardiology
An early medical device used in the practice of cardiology.
Shoe Fitting
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, when you went in to purchase a pair of new shoes, the sales clerk would have you stand with your feet in machines like this one. An x-ray would tell them your exact size.
Farm Tools
In the early days of Decatur County, a farmer wouldn’t just hop on his tractor and go to work. Instead, he worked hard with tools he hand-crafted himself, like this antique corn planter.
Turpentine Trade
The Museum has quite a collection of memorabilia involving the turpentine industry, once a very important part of our county’s economy.
School Days
Memorabilia from various Decatur County schools is found in the education room at the Museum. There are even old desks and auditorium chairs!
Barbershop
Tucked under a stairwell is the perfect spot for recreating an old barber shop, complete with the barber pole and a shoeshine seat.
Jack Wingate
A collection of historical memorabilia in Decatur County wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to fishing legend Jack Wingate. Stop in to see his chair, jacket, fish, and more.
Voting Mechanics
A close-up look at the inside of a voting machine. Pulling that red lever would close and open a curtain, allowing privacy for casting your ballot.
Flint Gator
In 2010, this gator was pulled from the Flint River and was a state record in size. The gator is a visitor favorite at the Museum.
Corn Mill
This antique American Indian corn mill was originally found in the southern part of Decatur County.