If you have ever visited the Oneida Pioneer Museum on a cloudy day or in the evening, you know that the lighting has been inadequate in the back rooms for patrons to see the collections of artifacts there. The Museum Board determined that additional lights were needed and enlisted the help of Gwen Johnson, owner of Gwen’s Electric, to install more ceiling lights and a small baseboard heater in the bathroom to ensure that the pipes would not freeze.

Cade Purser, apprentice electrician working under Gwen’s supervision, ran electric conduit under the mezzanine so that two new lights could brighten up the displays of medical equipment and musical instruments in that area. A new ceiling light was installed in the back exhibit room where there has not been lighting since the building was the R.B. Davis Drugstore.

Another needed project was the fixing of the hinges and lock on the front door. The Museum’s main door has caused problems, especially in the winter, when the hinges would slip when cold, resulting in keys being difficult, if not impossible, to turn in the lock. Representatives of Hansen Glass were able to install new hinges so that the Museum can be accessible in cold months.

The extension of lighting and repair of door hinge are just two projects that will continue to keep the 110-year-old Museum building a safe and comfortable repository for items that tell the history of Malad Valley.