By Barbara Palmgren
The long-awaited official ribbon-cutting for the Impact 100 Exhibit Hall addition was celebrated in late September. Additional contributions were required to build the 1400 sq ft addition to the Heritage Museum and many of the donors were present for this official event.
The magical evening was filled with food and entertainment in addition to having donors experience the new Vietnam Refugee Camp exhibit now available for viewing until mid-December, 2025.
Dr. Barbara Palmgren, Exhibits Chair for the Board of Trustees, explained the exhibit and how to view it in chronological order along with movies and oral histories collected for several months and now saved. Much of their work will later be sent to the permanent collection at Texas Tech University’s Vietnam Center and Archive and shared with historians at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Special Operations Historian, Bill Clifton.
Entertainment began with several musical numbers played by Ellen Shepard on the hammered dulcimer. Next was the mini-musical, Valparaiso. The history musical was written and directed by Barbara Palmgren and featured Mike McMain as John Perrine, Ken Walsh as James Plew, Chris Galloway as Addie Lewis and Barbara as Lula Edge. It explored the beginning of the city in the early 1920’s up to present day. The audience joined in the chorus of “Valparaiso” at the end of the play. Music for the play and video accompaniment was provided by Scott Stone and Michael Weaver. The members of the cast are all trustees for the museum.
The museum thanks Corner Café and The Fresh Market for their culinary donations. Barbara thanks Ellen Shepard and the cast and crew of the musical for their long hours of hard work and final masterpiece. The lovely tables and additional preparation were done with help from Arthur Edgar, Museum Manager, and volunteers Debbie Edgar, Jene McCracken, Carole Barlow, Elvira Chicarelli, Susan Cook, and June Jones.
Dr. Marie Hallion, Chair of the Board of Trustees, was also present to explain that the new exhibit for 2026, “Celebrate America 250: American Revolution” will be a history of the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The museum had applied for a state grant to help fund this exhibit but didn’t receive it and is now asking for contributions to create what will be a unique and important experience for next year’s national celebration of 250 years of our being a great nation. Anyone interested in making a needed contribution please contact the museum.
