Archives Building Opens

The Chambers County Historical Commission held its dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting of its archives and visitors' center Tuesday morning with County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, County Commissioner Judy Edmonds and Historical Commission Chair Bobby Wheat as the speakers.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The facility is not quite ready for day-to-day operations, Wheat said, but will open in the near future. Hours of operation will be announced as the opening draws nearer. According to Wheat, initial operating hours likely will be part-time, as staffing at first will be by volunteers.

“The county museum has been closed for over 20 years,” Wheat said, “and we are proud to bring a facility of this nature back to the people of Chambers County.”

The commission has amassed a huge amount of historical documents and artifacts, not all of it devoted exclusively to Chambers County, but it is always willing to take more, Wheat said.

Any history-related articles, including books, maps, letters, clothing, furniture, agricultural items and just about anything else will be accepted either as donations or loans, Wheat said. In other words, a family can put some possessions on display without giving up ownership.

Anyone interested in donating or lending should call Wheat at 409-267-8363.