The Canal Museum

Son and I went to the Canal Museum last Sunday. It was open from 2-4PM. Son had last visited more than 15 years ago. I had never been there.

Observations:

Nice building structure.

The grounds around the museum are in dire need of some landscaping care, tree trimming and fence mending.

The hydraulic canal is an overgrown path of weeds, grasses, wood boards, glass and plastic bottles, concrete blocks, and other debris that makes the entryway across the bridge a little less attractive.

There are some interesting items in the museum on the history of Middletown but, for the most part, one can go through the museum in less than an hour including reviewing the items located upstairs.

Unfortunately, there just isn't enough there to warrant a return trip after seeing it one time.

We talked to the museum folks who had it open that day and they told us they just can't generate much interest in luring people to attend. We mentioned putting together a program including presentations and movies on Middletown's history, announcing it in the paper and other media outlets and having a community affair at the Seniors Center or, perhaps, outdoors at Governors Square downtown or at the Sorg Opera House. Refreshments could be served. Perhaps a number of pizza shops (the Slice or Blast Furnace Pizza downtown???)could be motivated to provide food and beverage for advertisement purposes. How about all the downtown restaurants chip in to promote their downtown area?

Sadly, they both said that they thought there just flat out wouldn't be that much interest from the community to learn about the city they were living in.

Hmmm.....does that sound familiar? Apathy......how many times have we talked about that on this forum......Sad that there is no hometown feel anymore. Sad that the old guard has either left us or has moved on. Sad that the people who were not from here have chosen to live here but are not interested in the city's history, even on a night of free treats and entertainment.