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New sign in Murphysboro gauges museum progress

BY SCOTT FITZGERALD, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, September 8, 2008 11:32 PM CDT

MURPHYSBORO - It's at $157,500 and counting.

And people can keep track of progress for the General John A. Logan Museum "Preserving the Legacy Campaign," by looking at a sign that includes a dollar contribution gauge located on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square in Murphysboro.

City officials and museum representatives gathered Monday morning to unveil the new sign.

"We saw the need to keep the campaign and the museum at the forefront of everyone's mind, which is why this sign with a gauge has been erected at one of the busiest intersections in the area," said Barbara Dallas, campaign co-chair and a museum board member.

The three-year campaign to reach a goal of $250,000 for new museum expansion and programming purposes began in May 2007.

Dallas was ecstatic with the progress made to this point.

"We are almost halfway through the campaign. I want that gauge blowing out the top," she said about getting to $250,000 and beyond. "We understand the tourism opportunity for this area with our expanded museum. This is a win-win situation," Dallas said.

One person who pushed for the erection of a new and more visible sign was museum board president and campaign committee member Mike McNerney.

McNerney announced a surprise during the unveiling saying the gauge amount shown at $157,000, was already outdated as an officer from First State Bank of Campbell Hill was present to make a $500 donation.

Museum founder and curator Michael Jones said he was thrilled with the new sign.

An initial sign erected across the street from the museum in the 1600 Block of Edith Street will remain in place with an identical dollar contribution gauge, Jones said.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

351-5076