Red Onion celebrates mortgage burning

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Red Onion Museum of Upton had an open house to celebrate the burning of its mortgage. Part of the Weston County Museum District, the first in the state, the Red Onion is the second museum in the district, the first one being the Anna Miller Museum in Newcastle.
Located at 729 Birch St., the celebration was presided over by the district’s director, Bobbie Jo Tysdal. The museum started the open house with refreshments and a couple of dozen visitors meandering around and looking at the displays. Several patrons knew quite a lot about some of the exhibits. A famous two-headed calf is on display there, as well as artifacts and artwork depicting early settlers’ lives and the Indians who lived in the area.
Then Tysdal gave a speech about the history of the Red Onion Museum, as well as the museum district in general. A special election was held in 1996 to form the district and elect the board of directors. The board then hire staff.  From the beginning, the staff has been answerable to the board, but the board answers to the voters. The museum was first housed, for $10 a month, in a room in the back of Upton City Hall. But in 2014, the museum had raised enough to make a down payment on the Birch Street property. The mortgage was originally scheduled to be paid off in January 2023. But it was paid off several years early, with no penalties for early payoff, thanks to the generous patrons and businesses who have supported the project.
The future of the museum also looks bright. With some improvements already done, such as the renovation of the electrical system, a new ramp in the back of the building and a security system installed, other projects are in the works. Plans are underway to fence the entire property. Tysdal hopes this will keep out the stray animals and possibly the deer. All past and future projects have been and will continue to be done by local contractors, keeping business within the community, she said. Much of this effort is overseen by the Red Onion Museum coordinator, Maggie Makousky, who was available to answer questions and talk about several exhibits.
After the brief history, the crowd gathered outside, braving the wind and cold, and the mortgage burning commenced. Tysdal and Makousky had some problems keeping the flames alive because the wind kept putting it out. Also assisting were original board members Sam Haptonstall and Bill Morris. Morris is also the current treasurer of the district. The added help blocked the wind successfully, and soon the crowd cheered as the mortgage caught fire properly, burning to ashes.
Board members noted that they were grateful to all the donors and businesses for their outstanding support for the district and the Red Onion Museum. 
Anyone wishing to visit the museum can do so from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round or call (307) 468-2672 to set up an appointment.