Golden Valley Historical Society opens Museum
After years of planning and a large donation, the Golden Valley Historical Society will open a museum in a wing off of their Little White Church on Golden Valley Road. The society is also still selling street signs.
Adding a wing onto the Little White Church
On September 22, The Golden Valley Historical Society will proudly open the doors of a special museum in a wing off the Little White Church on Golden Valley Road.
“We hope it offers an opportunity to understand the history of Golden Valley and help people become more [knowledgeable] about its history,” says Don Anderson, longtime secretary of the Golden Valley Historical Society.
When member Ed Jordan passed away, he left a $400,000 donation to the historical society that allowed the society to move forward with plans to build the wing and turn it into a museum. Much of the collection had been stored in members basements and storage units. The displays tell familiar stories, like of Golden Valley High School or the opening of the first Byerly’s store.
But the historical society also does not shy away from telling stories that reflect the suburbs struggle with civil rights.
“There was a black musician who played in Golden Valley and was stopped by a police officer every time he came to town,” says Anderson.
Anderson says the man filed a lawsuit for discrimination and won.
The displays will change over time. The museum plans to be open on Thursdays and Saturdays and will rely upon volunteers to greet visitors.
“This is not the end of the project,” says Anderson. “This is the beginning of the project. Now we need volunteers to be greeters.”
Golden Valley street signs for sale
The historical society is still selling old Golden Valley Street Signs. They have sold more than 1100 and have one thousand more to sell. The signs cost $25.
