Historical Museum to Open in Market Square

The Miamisburg Historical Society (MHS) submitted a proposal to Miamisburg City Council requesting permission to expand the organization's meeting and museum space by renovating and maintaining the Market Square Building. The proposal was approved by a unanimous council vote on November 3, 1998.

MHS President, Terry Hieronymus, said that the organization began looking for a suitable downtown location due to an increase in community involvement.

"The Society has long outgrown its existing facilities," she said. " The Market Square Project will benefit both the society and the community by increasing exhibit space, program capabilities and research availability."

According to the proposal the renovation will be completed in two phases.

Phase One of the project includes additions to electrical and plumbing facilities and restructuring of interior walls on the building's main floor. When completed, this floor of the building will contain office space, galleries for permanent and rotating historical displays, a kitchenette and a research library with emphasis on genealogy and resources relating to the general history of Miamisburg and Miami Township. The Historic Miamisburg Community Partnership (HMCP) will continue to maintain office space within the building.

Phase Two of the plan begins with the addition of an elevator to ensure handicap accessibility and ease of moving larger display items to the second floor. The majority of floor space on the second level will be dedicated to a multi-purpose room with a stage. This area will be used as an auditorium and general meeting room for society programs and events, as well as a community meeting room for businesses and other area civic organizations.

Members of the MHS Board decided to develop and present the Market Square Proposal after hearing the results of the Hyett-Palma Study commissioned by the city. The study recommended ideas to further develop the downtown historic district. The Board felt that acquiring museum space in the center of town would be in keeping with the study's recommendations and furthers the organization's goals to collect and preserve local history.

As MHS Board President, Bobbye Sweny surveyed the membership in September of 1997 and found that support of the proposed project was more than positive. An announcement of the board's intent to pursue the project was made at the Society's Annual Meeting and Canal Days Dinner the following month.

Karl Zimmerman was asked to begin negotiations with the city and local architect Laura Leyes was commissioned to begin renovation drawings and plans. Other members who worked on the proposal development include: Tom Croskey, Joe Croskey, Bobbye Sweny, Terry Hieronymus, Annette Stiver, Debbie Turner, Randy Daniel and Mayor Dick Church.

"We are very excited and looking forward to working with the community and gaining their support, Karl Zimmerman said after the council meeting. "It's been an idea for two years. [Now] we are looking for additional committee volunteers for the actual renovation project."

In order to keep the cost of the project manageable, the committee plans to accomplish as many of their goals as possible through volunteer contributions of skills and labor.

The estimated $130,000 cost of the project will be funded by membership pledges, business gifts and community support of various fundraising events. To date, half of the phase one renovation costs and initial operating funds have been collected.

Society volunteers and employees of HMCP will staff the museum.

For more information about the Market Square Project email the Miamisburg Historical Society.



It wont be long before we’ll have another celebration taking place at Market Square: the occupancy and renovation of the Market Square Building by the Miamisburg Historical Society. After years of planning and wishing, the dream is finally coming true. With renovation plans encompassing two phases, the society will put its mark on downtown Miamisburg and, in the process, contribute wholeheartedly in the revitalization of the downtown business area.

The plans are already in place to use this marvelous site for our offices and display areas, giving us the chance to create a local research room/library for the public use and the opportunity to present an ever-changing display of local history for adult and youth education. The Market Square Building will once more be the dynamic center of downtown Miamisburg.

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