About the Grain Valley Historical Society
The Grain Valley Historical Society formed in 1991 when a small group of citizens with an interest in history and a love for their hometown made plans to start a society. They began actively meeting at the Grain Valley Methodist Church (now Faith United Methodist) and by early 1992 they had adopted a constitution and elected Winona Sharp Burgess, one of the founders, the society’s first president.
The group met bi-monthly for an educational program and to conduct society business. A compilation of historical papers, photographs and artifacts was begun. The need for a building to display the collection soon became apparent to the Society. Many options for a museum sight were under consideration including a silo on property that was once a part of Sni A Bar Farms. Many projects were pursued to raise the funds necessary to purchase a site. Land was purchased to construct a building, however, in 1995 the land was traded as partial payment for the current location. Projects continued and with the generosity of members and friends of the Society, the present building at 506 Main was purchased. Hundreds of hours of love and labor went into restoring the old tin ceiling and adding a few modern conveniences before the building was ready for its debut at the Christmas Homes Tour in 1996. |