Eagle Scout candidate leads construction of handicap accessible ramp at Museum Village

Monroe — A building on the grounds of Museum Village that has long been closed is now open, thanks to the Eagle Scout project of a Washingtonville High School senior and members of Troop 416 of Washingtonville. This November, Sean Culhane led the construction of a handicap accessible ramp for the Wagon Maker’s Shop at Museum Village for his Eagle Scout project. In order to complete this project Sean, who also is active in Masque and Mime, a school theatrical group, raised $750 for materials. He also was given a donation from Lowes. He coordinated a group of scouts and parents in preparing the site and building this ramp that will insure the re-opening of yet another building at the museum which has been undergoing a major revival this year. The building will serve the purpose of an exhibition space and hands-on learning area for a 19th century wood working scenario. Sean accomplished this project under the leadership of Scoutmaster Rich Cocchiara. “One of the immediate goals of the museum is to re-open buildings long closed,” said Dr. Robert Schmick, museum director, in a press release announcing the work. “The efforts of a new generation of leaders like Sean and members of Troop 416 of Washingtonville are making that happen in a short time; they are making a huge contribution to the preservation of this priceless educational resource. The museum has been blessed with numerous projects accomplished by scouts from Monroe and Goshen as well in recent months.” Museum Village is a private, 501c3 nonprofit museum preserving a vast collection of 19th century artifacts for educational purposes. It recently received its second Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) Museums for America grant for $115, 000 to fund staff to complete a digital catalogue of the museum’s entire holdings which exceeds 50,000 individual objects. Using this collection, the museum provides hands-on experiences and exhibits illustrating the transition from a rural to an industrial culture and economy in America, provoking thought and discussion about history.