Har-Ber Village Museum opens for its 47th season on Sunday, March 15. The pioneer-era village, complete with Visitor Center, The Country Store and Crafters at Har-Ber Village gift shops, Nature Trail, Picnic Pavilion and Event Tent allows visitors to experience the area’s history and ecology as well as view collections of antiques and memorabilia.
“We continue to focus on families with children by adding hands-on experiences for our visitors,” said Director Amelia Chamberlain. “The Living History cabin will soon have a working fireplace thanks to a community grant from Grove Rotary Foundation, and we will be adding new vegetable and perennial beds in our heirloom garden.”
The Crafters at Har-Ber Village Shop opened for the first time late last fall. This year the shop will have expanded hours and merchandise. A series of historic craft workshops featuring a wide variety of choices from needlecraft to flint knapping to weaving to soap making and more will be offered. “We encourage you to check the Village website throughout the season to stay up-to-date on activities, event information and programs,” continued Chamberlain.
On Saturday, March 14, Har-Ber Village kicks off its membership campaign with a members-only reception, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. “We’ll have a variety of activities our members are sure to enjoy scheduled throughout the afternoon! If someone who is not a member wants to attend, they may purchase a membership online or at the reception,” said Chamberlain.
During this afternoon’s event, members will receive a reproduction Frisco Railroad train ticket at the Print Shop; and sample refreshments—some of which were made from recipes from the Harvey House, a popular chain of restaurants located along the Santa Fe Railroad. They’ll be able to listen to donors tell the stories behind artifacts on display in the Railroad exhibit and view The Tulsa Garden Railroad Club’s model railroad display.
At 1:00 p.m., NSU History Professor Bill Corbett will highlight the events surrounding the Noel, Missouri, train explosion that took place on Sunday, August 3, 1969.
Doris Schlafke’s father worked for Illinois Central Railroad for 43 years (it was called the mainline of mid-America). Transferred to several different communities, he ended up in Chicago. The company thought so highly of him that it provided him with his own private railroad car. Doris inherited her father’s memorabilia and then donated several items to Har-Ber Village. At 2:00 p.m., Doris and her husband Don will share details about these items currently on display in the railroad exhibit.
Local dentist Dr. Harry W. Halterman, after a busy day in the office, would retire to his garage for three or four hours of relaxation therapy working on trains while listening to classical music—which he compared to the sound of steam engines. Both were music to his ears. Norma Halterman, in loving memory of her husband, donated the train to Har-Ber Village in 2009. In 2014, the train became part of a larger display on trains and transportation. At 3:00 p.m., Norma, who named her husband’s train “Wasted Money RR” will be on hand to share her memories of her husband and his hobby. “Harry’s father, Dr. I.L. Halterman, was also a dentist and his office furniture and dental tools are on display at Har-Ber Village,” explained Chamberlain.
The Tulsa Garden Railroad Club, founded in January 1997, will display mini-modules which will feature three trains running at one time. The trains are mostly in the scale range of 1:29 which are approximately twice the size of the well known three-rail Lionel trains that many grew up with as kids. The Club’s purpose is to encourage and broaden the knowledge of large scale garden railroad activities. It is open to anyone interested in large-scale outdoor or indoor model railroading. The Club will be hosting the Garden Railroad National Convention in Tulsa in 2017.
Railroads: Tracks Across America will be playing continuously in Building #3 during the event. Ride along with this nostalgic collection that takes you to a romantic place where steam rises from the dense population centers in the East to the snow-packed mountains of the West.
Members attending the reception will have a chance to win the exciting board game “A Ticket to Ride.” The drawing for the winner will take place at 4:00 p.m. Winner need not be present to win. Be sure to R.S.V.P. for this event by calling 918-786-6446 or emailing director@har-bervillage.com.
Har-Ber Village Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sundays, 12:30-5:00pm. Admission is $10 for adults; $7.50 for seniors 62+; $5 for children 6-13; under 6 and members free.
Har-Ber Village Museum Opens for the Season Sunday, March 15
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