The Dayton Peace Museum has been preparing for 2015 during the last few months of 2014, and will open in 2015 with a new look after a renovation meant to give the museum a friendly and cozy setting where visitors can gather to discuss peace.
The renovation took place under the direction of Jerry Leggett, executive director of the Dayton Peace Museum, who has only been the director since April 15, 2014.
Leggett said that he is pleased with how the renovations were going in the peace museum.
“The reset, as we’re calling it, is intended to provide for the museum a more multipurpose space. We’ll be able to when people first come in for people to have a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate, and be able to have a very nice setting for an initial gathering,” said Leggett.
The new multipurpose space will have a café like feel.
“People can begin the conversation of what a more peaceful world is like for you.” Leggett said when talking about the new café-like space that the museum will have.
Leggett spoke of the normal rotation of the museum and how it normally showcases three exhibits in one year.
The museum just finished The Golden Rule Quilting Exhibit, and on January 31 they will be showcasing an exhibit that they have been working on for six months called, the Peace Corps Experience, 54 years of global service.
“We’ve been working with local returned Peace Corps volunteers to create this exhibit that will also include programs like the one that’s taking place at Sinclair in the Charity Ball Room on January 31.” Leggett said, while explaining the process of the Peace Corps Exhibit.
The event that is occurring on January 31 will be featuring Ambassador Tony Hall, who will be coming to speak to about 150 people who will gather to kick off the exhibit.
The goal of the museum, as Leggett said, is to show people different perspectives on what peace looks like.
“The peace museum has been created to tell the stories of peace heroes and create a space for peace,” Leggett said.
He hopes the museum is a space where people can view non-violence as a practical way to bring peace to the world.
“We want to teach the skills and ideals about non-violence that can provide the alternatives in a world that’s very weary of violence and war,” Leggett said.
This was part of the reason why they were doing the renovations, so that this room could become a reality.
“People going up to the second floor will find the Peace Hero hall, which features thirteen peace hero’s that our board of directors have selected,” Leggett said, about the thirteen presentations that will be in the hall.
Then there will be a main room that will showcase many kinds of hero’s. “You’ll see panels that tell about all kinds of different aspects of peace heroes, unsung peace heroes, global peace heroes and Nobel Peace Prize winners,” said Leggett.
Leggett spoke about the purpose of the new room.
“The Peace Heroes room celebrates peace heroes from around the world, and right here in Dayton,” Leggett said. The peace museum is located at 208 West Monument Ave. in Dayton Ohio, with free parking behind the building and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 5p.m. and on Sunday from 1pm to 5p.m.
For more information on the Peace Museum and its event’s please visit them at www.daytonpeacemuseum.org or call them at 937-227- 3223.
Zoe Hurley
Reporter