After several years of renovations, the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma, will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 9, the facility’s 54th anniversary.
On April 11, officials will host a reopening party, “Decades of Dobson,” featuring activities, food trucks, and booths from organizations and museums in the region, according to the Joplin Globe.
More about the changes from museum director Jordan Boyd:
For several years, museum officials have worked with designers at Museum Concepts to overhaul the museum. The changes came as some of the museum’s exhibits were relocated to what is known as the Dobson Museum and Home Annex on Main Street.
With the changes to the original facility, Boyd said interactive features — part of the $4 million project — give the museum a completely new look. […]
Boyd said one of his favorite changes includes the new children’s area, which includes a small Coleman Theatre stage to allow young visitors a place to dress up and perform, as well as storefronts including the KuKu restaurant and Notts Grocery, well-known stops on Route 66. […]
Other quarterly exhibits this year include Ottawa County Celebrates America 250, from July to September, and a celebration of Route 66 for its centennial, from October to December.
The Dobson Museum and Home initially opened in the early 1960s on Main Street as the home of the Ottawa County Historical Museum. The Ottawa County Historical Society later built a new home next to the Dobson family home, which became what is known as the Dobson Museum. The home, built in 1915-16, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
After it reopens, hours at the Dobson Museum and Home, located at 110 A Street SW (aka Route 66), will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
(Image of the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma, via its website)