War Vets Museum Invites Public to See Improvements

CANFIELD, Ohio – Scotty Crawford, a sixth-grade student at Canfield Village Middle School, noticed how aged and dilapidated the War Vets Museum here looked while he and other students toured the building in 2013.

“I noticed how old and worn down it looked. I wanted to do something to make it look nice again,” he said in a statement released to the press Wednesday.

What Crawford did was launch a fundraising effort that has secured $23,254 to date for improvements to the museum that houses artifacts, uniforms, military memorabilia, newspapers and thousands of other items related to America’s involvement in wars from the Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new improvements thus far include new vinyl siding, painting, plants and flowers, and new general landscaping outside the building.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, in front of the museum, 23 E. Main St.

The Canfield Junior Women’s League, Canfield Rotary, the Ellsworth V.F.W., Huntington Trust, Farmers Trust Co. and several private contributions supported the effort.

Boak & Sons, Banner Supply, Edison Lighting, DJV Carpet and supplies, as well as individuals donated materials and their services.

Crawford says he hopes to raise another $77,000 to remodel the interior of the building and fix the brick steps outside.

“I know the building looks a lot better, but it’s important to finish the project,” Crawford said. “We owe it to the people who fought for our country. Because of their time and sacrifice, we have our freedom.”

Donations to the War Vets Museum and can be dropped off at any office of Famers National Bank.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.