MAYNARD PIONEER MUSEUM

MAYNARD PIONEER MUSEUM: A VISION ON THE PAST
POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD MAY 1 1997

Seventeen years ago when Red Rearcy had his "vision" to create a historic aprk in Maynard, he opened the door to endless prossiblities.
Pearcy presented his idea to Alfred Kerley (who was mayor at the time) and withthe help of the community, the vision became a reality.
The group located on old cabin about three or four miles out of town which would serve as the musuem. After the city acquired the park property, the cabin was taken apart and reconstructed at the present site.
Once the museum was finished the community collected the antiques for display.
The community called their new creation "The Maynard Pioneer Park"
"Everything here was donated," Park Chairman Clifford Peirce said. "The park runs striclty on donations and fund raisers. The musuem and use of the park is free tot he public. Most people do make a donation after they use the park for a reunion or such, but it's not a requirement."
Besides the orginal museum, an additional one has been added, and there are plans to convert an existing storage building into a third museum after a new storage building is purchased.
The newest addition to the park is a 20 by 40 pavilion and the junior Pioneer Club is working on Playground equipment for younger children. The park also has several peices of old farming equipment on display.
    "After they got the park completed, " Pierce said "they decided to have a parade andparty to celelbrate. everybody had such a good time, they decided to make it an annual event."
Each year Pioneer Day attracts more and more visitors and has grown beyond anyon's expectations, he said.
"It just keeps growing and growing." Pierce said "last year there were so many people the roads to the park were blocked ff and the parade could't get through. I've never never seen so many people."
    Maynard's Pioneer Day has grown from a one-day to a three day event beginning on Thursday night, with all the first night's proceeds going tot he schools.
   This year's Pioneer Days will be September 18-20, and Pioneer Board members say preparations have been underway for the past two months.

  "tt's getting to where it is a year -long project" Board Member Dusty Manzitto said, "It takes a good eight months in preparations"
   Pierce added that everything is done by volunteers and they are getting harder and harder to find.
   "When a town of 354 hosts around 5,000 people, "Peirce said, "it runs into a lot of work. After 17 years they kinda get burned out. You just have to keep trying to filter in new recruits."
   Maynard Pioneer Park will officially open May 1. the museums are open from 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 on Sunday. The Park is located on Highway 328, just up from the Elememtary school.
The Maynard Pioneer Board invites everyone to visit the park and take a trip into yesteryear.

This is the newest building at Maynard, recentley added ant furnished. It made its apperance at the 1999 Maynard Pioneer Days.