Published: July 08, 2009 09:49 am      

Savanna Historical Society receives $154K grant

SAVANNA, Ill. — Illinois Rep. Mike Boland was in Savanna on Tuesday presenting the Savanna Historical Society with money to help its dream of a Savanna museum become a reality.

“Really, congratulations to you folks. You know what you’ve done — you’ve done all the real work. All I did was help you get a little more money for your project and what a wonderful museum it’s going to be. I’ve been bragging to people wherever I go that this is the way that a lot of our smaller communities paid to think as far as economic development,” said Boland.

Boland carried a large, $153,000 check, representing grant funds to be issued to the society. According to a press release from the Savanna Historical Society, the grant, actually totaling $154,673.96, was awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The society will use the money to buy electrical materials, drywall, paint, flooring, decorative light fixtures, a fire alarm system and a new roof for the Savanna Historical Museum, 406 Main St., Savanna.

This museum will house a special collection of 90 life sized-mannequins in authentic Civil War dress, designed by local retired history teacher Gene Wright. A large portion of the upstairs level will showcase a hand-built model railroad exhibit expected to take two years to create. Future exhibits will feature a scale model replica of Savanna in its heyday as an intercontinental switching point. Exhibits are also planned featuring Savanna natives, musician Wayne King and astronaut Dale Gardener.

Boland said, as a former history teacher, he loves museums. He said this museum, with its Civil War section, will be truly unique.

“I think this is a great way that we can build the attractiveness for our smaller communities and you folks here really, in my eyes, have really grabbed the ball and you’re running with it and you’ve made a touchdown. And so I was very happy to help,” said Boland

““It (the grant) really is going to be a help because we’ve been doing good with our local fundraisers, but this project is more than Savanna could handle by itself,” Savanna Historical Society President John Pokornik said. “We needed to have some outside influx of cash in order to make the proper museum. To build what we really need for this town. And I really see this as kind of a stepping stone to revitalizing downtown Savanna.”