Category: Civic

All Aboard: The Old Firehouse Museum’s Train Show Returns

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Alfred Byrd, Old Firehouse Museum Board Member 601-928-8089 or 601-928-8164

All Aboard: The Old Firehouse Museum’s Train Show Returns

The Old Firehouse Museum’s train show will again be held in the Historic Depot in Wiggins on Saturday, April 16, 2016.  The fun and festivities will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Participants may set up their trains Friday, April 15, 4-6 p.m. or Saturday, April 16, 8-9 a.m.  All types of trains are welcome.  The show celebrates the railroad and showcases model trains from the collections of citizens of Wiggins and Stone County.

“If it wasn’t for the railroad, we wouldn’t be here” is an often heard refrain at the Old Firehouse Museum.  The railroad, originally the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was built through the county in 1896 and was instrumental in the county’s economic development.  This is one reason the museum hosts the train show and another is that most everyone loves model trains.

In addition to the large collection of locally owned model trains that will be on display, there will be presentations, hands-on activities for children, musical entertainment and a motorized trackless train ride around the Depot grounds.

David Price, a noted and favorite railroad historian, and Jerry Lachaussee, author and retired railroad dispatcher,will again present interesting train lore and stories for the train enthusiast that will be attending.  The museum will display photos and other train related artifacts from its collection.

The Historic Depot was originally rebuilt in 1912 after the first depot was destroyed by fire in 1910. In 2000, the building was moved to its current location.  Restoration of the Depot was completed in 2005.

The Old Firehouse Museum, dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of Stone County, is located next to the Wiggins City Hall, 117 North First Street, and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The museum is supported and funded by the City of Wiggins and contributions from volunteers and visitors.

Stone County turns 100 in 2016 and will be celebrating our centennial all year with events and activities that highlight our past, our citizens and a look to our future. Come join us as Stone County honors its 100 years and plans for the next 100 years.

A Celebration of Trains – 2016

The Old Firehouse Museum will again host “A Celebration of Trains” during this Stone County Centennial year. “A Celebration of Trains” will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 9 AM – 2 PM at the Historic Train Depot located on Hatten Avenue. A variety of model trains will be displayed. There will be train rides, demonstrations, storytelling, videos, and train activities for all ages. Our guests for the day will be train experts David Price and Jerry Lachaussee.

Exhibitors are invited to show their trains. Exhibits should bring their trains for display either Friday, April 15, 2016, from 4 PM – 6 PM or Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 8 AM – 9AM. Exhibits should remain in place until the event closes at 2 PM.

For more information, email the Museum at oldfirehousewiggins@gmail.com.

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Third Annual Evening on the Hill

Join us tomorrow for the third annual Evening on the Hill. Pine Hill is all spruced up for Fall and waiting to welcome you for dinner, an Elvis Tribute by Charlie Raye, other entertainment, and a silent auction.

Charlie Raye
Charlie Raye
3rd Annual Evening on the Hill
3rd Annual Evening on the Hill

Third Annual Evening on the Hill

Save the date – October 10th! The Old Firehouse Museum is hosting the Third Annual “Evening on the Hill” from 5pm to 9pm. There will be lots of Music, Fun and Food!

Tickets are on sale for a delicious steak dinner from Serendipity!! There will also be a silent auction and a raffle during the evening with lots of great items. Dinner Tickets  $20.00 each and are available at Serendipity and the Museum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Evening on the Hill Information

“Calling All Dolls!”

The Ferris O’neal Senior Center was again the venue of the second annual Doll Show and Tea Party  sponsored by The Old Firehouse Museum on Saturday, March 7, 2015. More than 2015 guests enjoyed the exhibits and refreshments.

In 2014, the initial Doll Show and Tea Party was held in conjunction with a county-wide focus on the life and works of Emilee Blackmore Stapp and her sister Marie. The sisters lived on Friendship Farm in the “Dolls’ House”, named for their international collection of dolls. Their investment in Stone County and the lives of children was unlimited.

Members of the Stapp Family again attended this years’ event. These included Eileen Day Gipson who grew up on Friendship Farm and exhibited on of the dolls from the sisters’ collection, and Betty Hearon of Hattiesburg. Additionally, multiple generations of families enjoyed the afternoon together viewing the exhibits and enjoying tea and conversation.

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Old Firehouse Museum Celebrates “Evening of the Hill”

Join us October 5th for the Second Annual “Evening on the Hill” on historic Pine Hill in Wiggins.

There are some tickets left for the delicious steak dinner from Serendipity at $20.00 each. Serendipity has tickets for sale. Brick Street and Maddie J’s will be open also and have some food available also. 

There will be Live Music and both a Live and a Silent Auction. Auction items will be available for viewing at 5:00, dinner starts at 5:30, Live auction with Timmy Garrison starts at 7:00.
This promises to be a beautiful evening. Please join us and support your Museum.

These are pictures of just a few of the items that are up for auction on Saturday at the  event sponsored by the museum. These items will be sold at the auction on Pine Hill Saturday night. They include window of quilts, gift certificates for a load of gravel and a load of dirt from Roger White, a certificate for one night stay at Chateau Blessey in Biloxi, fleur- de-lis book ends, and miniature picture frames.

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Save the Date – Old Firehouse Museum’s “Evening on the Hill”

Save the date of October 4, 2014, for this year’s edition of “Evening on the Hill”.

The evening will include dinner at Serendipity, live and silent auctions, and live entertainment. You will want to be there!

More information coming soon.

Historic Stone County Post Cards – John Sharp

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Fun Fact: The Dolls’ House – Emilie and Marie Stapp

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Emilie and Marie Stapp collected over 400 dolls from their travels around the world. When they built their home at Friendship Farm east of Wiggins in the 1930s, their home was called The Dolls’ House. Upon Emilie’s passing in 1962, her nieces ensured that the vast collection of Emilie and Marie would be preserved. After the great nieces chose from the dolls (Suzanne got two, Dottie and Ripple one each), the remainder were donated with manuscripts, books, and other memorabilia to the University of Southern Mississippi and are now part of the Special Collections of the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at The McCain Library and Archives.