Scouting museum broadens its focus

OTTAWA, Ill. — The Ottawa Scouting Museum, 1100 Canal Street, Ottawa, has changed the name and focus of the museum.

The museum is now the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum. While always maintaining its scouting roots, it is adding the preservation and exhibition of local Ottawa history to its focus.

Many changes have been instituted to begin this process. The scouting collection has been moved into the central display area on the south side of the building.

Two new exhibit cases have been created for this area that will showcase the Native American/Order of the Arrow exhibit and the premier collection of Baden-Powell memorabilia.

The north wing of the building will now feature Ottawa history exhibits. In recognition of the nationwide celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the museum is featuring a Civil War exhibit.

On loan from a variety of local people are Civil War firearms, original letters from the T. Lyle Dickey family, memorabilia, and a large collection of Matthew Brady Civil War photographic reprints.

The museum has been made a gift of the original dress worn by Mary Stobs at the Lincoln/Douglas debate held in Ottawa in 1858 and the dress is on permanent display in the new Ottawa exhibit area.

Questions may be directed to Executive Director Mollie Perrot at (815) 431-9353 or scouter07@hotmail.com (Mention museum in the subject line please).