The Prowers County Wagons are Getting their New Home

Architect Tim Stroh with County Commissioners inside new museum.

New Transportation Museum forefront, Big Timbers Museum at Rear

The Prowers County Commissioners, Big Timbers Museum officials, members of the Prowers Historical Board and local tourism supporters are counting off the days on their calendars until 11am, June 25, the scheduled opening day of the new transportation museum for the county. Opening day will bring and end to over three years of planning for the project, which has gone through various financial and construction changes.

The commissioners toured the facility this past Thursday, April 7 with project architect, Tim Stroh and Hans Friederichs, county operations manager to take a walk-thru on the work that has been done up to date. The new building measures 4,900 square feet, 49 by 100 feet, shortened just a bit from the original scope. Commissioner Joe Marble said initial plans called for 80 by 100 feet, but because of ARRA money, the facility had to come in at under 5,000 square feet. A single bay door facing west will be used to let the display vehicles move in and out of the high-ceilinged building.

Commissioner Chairman Joe Marble said the commissioners viewed the wagon selection and noted there were 11, “prestige-type wagons” for display and other folks have contributed five other vehicles for display for opening day. Afterwards, Marble said, the commissioners will take stock of all the vehicles to see how well they will fit. The new museum is easily accessible off highway 50 on the KLMR corner, adjacent to the site of the Big Timbers museum.