The Museum is in the midst of a makeover and, when it’s finished, you’re gonna like what you see.

The impetus for the makeover began several months ago when the Board looked at the extraordinary beauty of Mill Pond Park and decided we wanted the Museum to be a full partner with the City and the Garden Club in making this park one of the best in Texas. The Board also knew the San Saba River Nature Park, which is currently being developed by LCRA, would attract many first-time visitors and we hoped the Museum’s new look would encourage folks to stop by.

Here’s how the makeover came to life. We started with City Manager Stan Weik. He understood our needs and convened a group of city personnel who could help. Led by Farrell Whitley, Scott Glaze and Al Hamrick, this creative group figured out how we could dramatically improve the exterior without spending a lot of money. Beyond esthetics, the exterior improvements had three major objectives— make the Museum entrance safer for the mobility-impaired, provide an effective drainage plan to direct water away from the building and develop an outdoor exhibition and conversation area. We also hoped the new exterior could be used as an information center for Mill Pond Park and provide a display area focusing on the history of San Saba County.

Once the basic ideas were in place, Stan worked with the Mayor and City Council to allocate funds to help with the cost.

Then, we got lucky. Larry Baker, an experienced and innovative builder from the DFW area who now lives in San Saba County with his wife, Dr. Donna Baker, offered to help. Larry not only had ideas but he also had surplus building materials and knew of others who might be willing to donate materials. Most of all, Larry had the expertise and energy to help make everything come together.

Museum President Lynn Blankenship, who’s generally known for her quiet and unassuming competence, literally gushed with enthusiasm as the City crews began work in mid-December. She said, "We are so grateful to the City and Larry Baker. Nothing would have happened without them."

The exterior improvements are only one of the Museum’s current projects. The Museum is also digitizing its inventory of artifacts, improving its website (www.sansabamuseum.org) and planning several entertaining and educational programs for adults and children.

Feel free to chat with any Museum Board Member about our plans and drop by the Museum to see what’s happening. Your museum is a 501c3 non-profit and always needs additional funds. Send your donation to P. O. Box 242, San Saba, Texas 76877. If you’d like to volunteer your time, have items to add to our historical collection or would like help in any other way, please call Lynn Blankenship at 325.372.8807.