Officials say work continues to transform a building in downtown Uhrichsville into the Clay Capital Heritage Center.
Progress is being made on the building that will feature two floors of history, with Director Wendy Zucal saying that the first floor is coming together quickly.
“We’re cognizant that it’s an industrial museum so we’re trying to make it fun. It will also have in the front a cafe, coffee shop and museum gift shop. We’re really excited. There will be a second floor, and we’ll have to do that next that has community space, archival storage, and more exhibit space. Right now, we’re focused on getting that first floor open by the spring. We hope to open it the day of the Buckeye train ride. It has some really cool aspects to it. It has a theater in it that is like half of a recreated clay kiln. When you enter the museum, you’ll actually enter through a clay mine.”
They are still actively seeking grants and other donations.
“Our capital campaign continues. We’ve been very fortunate to get donations and foundation support, state support. We’re selling bricks. Belden Brick is working with us to put brick in the lobby and you’re able to basically buy a brick put your name on it. It takes a lot of people to get this done just like in Dennison to get the depot done.”
Zucal points out that the goal is to make a museum corridor between the city and Dennison’s Railroad Depot.
“These both showcase and tell the story of significant pieces of history. Dennison being the only servicemen’s canteen still around and all hits history, and then the Clay Museum being the Clay Capital of the world. These are two significant stories that we’re trying to tell in this community, trying to preserve those histories, and collect those artifacts.”
Each museum is owned by their respective municipality with the Depot running the locations.
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