Cloyce Odell Ingham County Historical Commission Award
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The Williamston Museum was the scene of a celebration on December 17th, 2025 for museum board member Cloyce Odell. The Ingham County Historical Commission presented their annual Heritage Award to Cloyce for his years of work in preserving the history of the Williamston area, through Facebook historical picture postings, giving interviews to students and authors about our history and serving on our museum board for a quarter century. Here is Ingham County Historical Commission Chairman Audrey Martini presenting Cloyce with his award. Other photos include the award, County Commissioner Monica Schafer speaking with Cloyce, and Cloyce with his two daughters, Lori and Terri, with the award. Congrats to Cloyce!
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Acid Free Archival Boxes
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The Williamston Museum Depot Board approved the purchase of acid-free archival boxes in November 2025 for safe storage of historical materials.
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December 2025 Satellite Display at Post Office
2024 Ceiling Project Success
The Williamston Museum reopened its doors the week of February 18th, 2024 with fresh paint, clean carpets, dusted displays, and a whole new ceiling with antique-looking, pendant light fixtures.
A full replacement of the ceiling in the front room of the museum was accomplished by local contractor and builder, Jack Palmer, with wiring and light fixtures by Lakota Electric, and the help of many other hands.
The new ceiling, modeled after the original wooden plank ceiling in the entryway to the front room, sits approximately six inches lower than the 1980’s drop ceiling and features metal pendant lights that can be dimmed or brightened.
Visually, both the ceiling and the lights have a classic look that fits the ambiance of a historical building, while still being practical and energy-saving. The Museum Board is also thrilled that it will be so much easier and safer to change a lightbulb when needed—a task that was daunting with the previous ceiling.
The overall renovation project was finished timely with few challenges, and also came in under budget thanks to the many donations of materials, services, and labor.
A full replacement of the ceiling in the front room of the museum was accomplished by local contractor and builder, Jack Palmer, with wiring and light fixtures by Lakota Electric, and the help of many other hands.
The new ceiling, modeled after the original wooden plank ceiling in the entryway to the front room, sits approximately six inches lower than the 1980’s drop ceiling and features metal pendant lights that can be dimmed or brightened.
Visually, both the ceiling and the lights have a classic look that fits the ambiance of a historical building, while still being practical and energy-saving. The Museum Board is also thrilled that it will be so much easier and safer to change a lightbulb when needed—a task that was daunting with the previous ceiling.
The overall renovation project was finished timely with few challenges, and also came in under budget thanks to the many donations of materials, services, and labor.
2024 Scholarship Winner!Congratulations to Mallory Duffy, the 2024 winner of the Museum’s annual $250 scholarship awarded to a senior at Williamston High School for outstanding work in US History. Mallory is the daughter of Kevin and Mary Ann Duffy of Williamston and was nominated by her WHS social studies teachers. While at WHS, Mallory ran cross country and played soccer. She was the President of the National Honor Society, participated in the Be Nice Organization, and was on the WHS Business Professionals of America team. She will be attending Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio in the fall, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish.Congratulations to Mallory Duffy, the 2024 winner of the Museum’s annual $250 scholarship awarded to a senior at Williamston High School for outstanding work in US History. Mallory is the daughter of Kevin and Mary Ann Duffy of Williamston and was nominated by her WHS social studies teachers. While at WHS, Mallory ran cross country and played soccer. She was the President of the National Honor Society, participated in the Be Nice Organization, and was on the WHS Business Professionals of America team.
She will be attending Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio in the fall, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish. |
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New Acquisition - A Safe Choice!
On April 17th, the Shagbark Questers sponsored a program at the Museum, The Titanic: A Story of the Unknown Child, delivered by Judith Coebley, Michigan Questers State President. The Questers also hosted a silent auction which raised over $1100 to support the purchase and restoration of a railroad safe that was housed at the original Williamston depot building in the 1890’s.
The railroad safe—thought to be a hollow, steel-walled construct filled with concrete—is estimated to weigh more than a thousand pounds. It has been through at least one depot fire and currently sits locked at an offsite location.
With the donation from the Questers, the safe will be sandblasted, the door unlocked (will it be empty or have treasures inside?) repainted, and placed on a custom, heavy-duty rolling base.
The railroad safe—thought to be a hollow, steel-walled construct filled with concrete—is estimated to weigh more than a thousand pounds. It has been through at least one depot fire and currently sits locked at an offsite location.
With the donation from the Questers, the safe will be sandblasted, the door unlocked (will it be empty or have treasures inside?) repainted, and placed on a custom, heavy-duty rolling base.