Colfax citizens had long dreamed of the Rosenberger Building as an ideal place to house a local history museum. That all changed about a month ago when a couple from Greenwood bought the building.
However, that dream is beaming brightly once again as Colfax American Legion Post 439 gave its building at the corner of Main and Meridian to the Colfax Historical Society with the hope and desire to put the museum in that building later this year.
“It certainly was a disappointment to not get the Rosenberger. That was what started this journey for us,” said Colfax Historical Society President Amanda Boksa. “This provides a lot of new opportunities for our organization and provides longevity for the group’s sustainability with a rentable area to generate the funds to help this building afloat and keep it going for the community.”
The American Legion building has been unoccupied for six years when a pizza business left the building.
“Our new goal is to renovate this building that really has a cool history to Colfax in itself and make the museum at this location instead,” said Boksa.
Despite the disappointment of not getting the Rosenberger, there is a definite upside to getting the old American Legion building.
“The Rosenberger was built in 1865 approximately and had a ton of work to do,” said Boksa. “But this building since it was built in the 60s is much more up to date and the American Legion took good care of the property. So, we don’t have quite as many repairs to do.”
Boksa said the first step to get this endeavor going is to have a fundraiser this weekend when Crew Carwash will give a portion of your purchase to the Colfax Historical Society. Also, Boksa said work will begin on May 4 and 5 at 9 a.m. to start fixing up the building.
As far as an opening date is concerned, Boksa said they would like to have it ready by the Colfax Heritage Festival, which is slated for Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She said this was called the Hickory Harvest Festival last year and is separate from the Ole’ Hickory Days Festival held in the summer.
Currently, much of Colfax’s local history is now archived and on display at the Colfax Perry Township Public Library. Colfax has changed over the years, and the library has grown, but a museum with adequate space to grow the collection is needed.
For more information about the Colfax Historical Society and the project, go to the Colfax Historical Society facebook page or you can call Boksa the library at 765-324-2915, extension 100.