A recent acquisition by the Oneida Pioneer Museum is a baby bassinette that dates to 1940. Donated by Mayor Joan Hawkins, the bassinette was purchased by her parents, Charles W. and Faye M. Ward, for their first child, Marjorie Ward Nielson.  All five of the Ward children, including Joan, and several grandchildren used the bassinette. Mrs. Ward would spray paint the bed for each child, with the color dependent on whether the child was a boy or a girl. The bassinette is pink because the last baby to use it was Joan’s daughter, Jenny Rae Hawkins.

As the spring draws nearer, the Museum is prepping for its traditional opening day just in time for Memorial Day.  As is usually the case, the museum opening will feature a bake sale with items created by board members and museum friends.  After its official opening, the museum will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Although there are no major events planned as yet for the library, the board does hope to be able to finish cleaning the mezzanine so that it can be open to the public.  A longer term project is clearing out the attic space, though no specific plans are in place for that at present.  

Next week, The Enterprise will bring you an update on a subject very near and dear to the museum, as well as many in the town, especially veterans.  The Legion Hall on Main Street has officially been recognized on the National Register of Historical Places, a designation that was applied for in 2023.

The Museum Board is composed of Jean Thomas, Bill Lewis, Julie Willie, Janice Vaughan, Lorna Hess, Sharon Harris, Joan Hawkins, Marvin Hess, Sarah Robbins, Hailey Sweeten, Dotty Evanson, Dave Gilgen, and retired director Fay Cottle.

The museum is always happy to discuss potential donations with anyone interested in donating, however, the board is mostly interested in items and materials either from at least 100 years ago, or with direct and substantial significance to Malad and/or Oneida County.  The museum can be reached at (208) 766-9247.