Seneca Historical Guild plans museum grand opening in the spring

Members of the Seneca Historical Guild met formally for the first time in 17 months to receive updates, review finances and to make plans for the reopening of the Seneca Area Historical Museum at 431 N. Main St. in the former Rock Island Depot.

The museum was closed in the winter of 2019-2020 in order to create new displays and then was shut down because of the pandemic. It was decided the museum will now be open, but by appointment only and with the understanding some of the displays are still under construction. An official grand opening will be scheduled in the spring.

The new displays are organized around the 11 chapters in the book published by the guild in 2015, “The Story of Seneca, Illinois.”

The guild recently hosted the Kankakee and Seneca Railroad Association and the Blackhawk Railroad historical group at the museum and led them on a driving tour of the K&S Railroad that terminated in Seneca.

John Lamb provided an update on the restoration of the caboose. The former Rock Island caboose is primed and most of it has been painted red. Work will continue in the spring.

In other business, the Guild re-elected its current officers: Jeff Maierhofer, president, Gerry Lowe, vice president, Joan Claggett, secretary, Doug Wood, treasurer, and Sandy Timmons as director.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, email the Seneca Historical Guild senecahistory@gmail.com.