Dear Editor:
I would like to share with you a wonderful event that took place on May 29, 2021.
Cibola County History Museum, 525 West High St., advertised successfully in the Cibola Citizen our Grand Opening which was a huge success. At 9 a.m. a small crowd assembled to witness the ribbon cutting at the front door. Cibola County Historical Society Board Members, Steve Owen, Jackie Heath, Jonnie Head, Nelcine and Bob Roland held the ribbon while Mary Savacheck cut the ribbon amid cheers and much picture taking. Upon entering the museum, members and guests were greeted by Grants’ first telephone switch board with pictures of women operators. Continuing in to the left the VFW exhibit cabinet and the US flag, donated by a veteran’s family, then to the Quadrathlon quilt and the wall displaying pictures of our area from the 1880s to the 1940s. Next came the amazing history of carrots in our area (Carrot Capital). An antique organ, a book press, an old commercial coffee grinder and the gun thought to have killed Bud Rice in Budville years ago. A school exhibit was next and several treadle sewing machines with vintage quilts. By that time, guests noticed cookies and bottled water were available. Then on to the old gas pump (34 cents a gallon) and into the area displaying kitchen items with a galvanized wash tub and lye soap among other kitchen items. There was a display of children’s toys and a very old baby buggy. The facing wall displayed items used in the lumber business or one could go outside and enjoy the large equipment in the lovely fenced yard. This museum has been a labor of love for the Board and Historical Society members for three years. They worked there with masks during 2020. Our dream is to have individual displays of all outlying towns and villages in Cibola County eventually. There are so many remarkable people and stories to tell. The museum has been made possible by the generosity of business and private donors, the City of Grants and the Lodger’s Tax Board. The Cibola County Historical Society Board would like all of Cibola County to come in, bring your family history or items you would like to have saved in a museum. Our children often don’t see the value in our old “stuff.” Help make this museum “our museum.” Come in Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will be there to greet you. (Or become a volunteer or member.)
Jonnie Head, Secretary, Cibola County Historical Society (cibolahistorians@gmail.com)