Calculating Engine Countdown:
Come see this frontier marvel!
The museum's exhibit on the "Calculating Engine" invented by Fred Warren in Three Oaks in 1875 is about to close down. The mechanical calculator-- perhaps the first of its kind built in America-- will be returning to Michigan State University once the TROTOM season ends on October 31st.
The machine-- produced just before Warren died of TB-- had not been in Three Oaks since 1952, and may not return soon, so come check it out before our doors close for the year!
Museum awarded
Pokagon Fund grant
The Region of Three Oaks Museum has just been awarded a Pokagon Fund grant of $3000, to upgrade museum technology. That's Pokagon Fund Executive Director Dan Petersen, handing the check to TROTOM Board President Chuck Sittig.
TROTOM will purchase new computer equipment and software, aimed at improving the museum's ability to catalogue and track the thousands of items in our growing collection. We've added extra shelving, new flatfile cases for storing maps and fragile documents, a new file cabinets
for small paper items.
We'll be training new volunteers how to accession new items on our new equipment. If you'd like to get involved, let us know by email-- trotommuseum@gmail.com.
TROTOM loves a parade!
The museum had a eye-catching entry in the 2021 Three Oaks Flag Day parade. A 1930 Ford Model A convertible, with Abe Lincoln sitting in the back!
"Abe" was actually Richard Veit, who impersonates America's 16th president at SW Michigan events. He was a big hit-- kids yelled "Thanks, Abe!" as he and others in the car dispensed candy treats,
Big thanks not only to Richard, but to Robin McBride, the car's owner (and driver in the parade), and TROTOM Board Member Harold Russell, who dispensed friendly waves and candy, too.
It was certainly good to have Three Oaks' signature parade back, after a Covid-induced absence, though TROTOM was able to produce a video on the history of the event when the 2020 parade became a TV program, rather than a live event.
Three Oaks Heritage Hall
The Region of Three Oaks Museum purchased the village's oldest building, the Town Hall built in 1866-67.
We have re-named the building Three Oaks Heritage Hall, and are making it available as a low-cost event space-- parties, baby showers, group meetings, are welcome.
There is also a small office available for rent at $250 a month.
Contact us at trotommuseum@gmail.com, if you're interested.
