Open House planned for new museum and welcome center

Milford Museum Commission President Charles Hammond stands on the steps of what will be the new museum building

On Saturday, November 23, Milford Museum will hold an open house from 1 to 3 PM in order to allow the public to see renderings of upgrades to the former police station. The museum has entered into an agreement with the city to move from their current location to the former police station at 400 Northeast Front Street.

“The museum will sit directly across from the new police headquarters with renovations to the old building planned to begin this winter,” Tom Summers, Executive Director of the Milford Museum said. “This will give everyone a first look at what will not only be the museum but will also offer a welcome center at the eastern entrance to the city.”

There are some in the city who would prefer the museum remain in its current location. Melanie Cline commented that she knew the museum needed more space, but felt it was an anchor for the downtown area.

“We are getting more than twice the space we have now and we really need it. Plus, we will be on the river so we can interpret our maritime history even better,” Denise Curtis, a museum commissioner responded. “As for being an anchor, we can still do that being one of the first buildings as you come off Route1. We can still point the way to downtown.”

Mark Baker was also sad to see the museum move from out of town where it would get less foot traffic. Yanelle Powell, also a commissioner, stated that most of their visitors are from out of town and that the museum did not get a significant amount of foot traffic.

There has been no information released regarding what the city will do with the current building where the museum is housed. The building is owned by the State of Delaware and leased to the city for $1 per year. The building was found to have lead issues which prompted the need for the museum to move so that lead abatement can take place.

On the 23^rd, visitors can tour the building and view what upgrades will be made to make the building suitable for the collections housed in the museum.