The Depot Museum
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Except for the sign on Hwy. 2 that points to Rudyard and advertises “596 people and 1 old sorehead,” you wouldn’t think there’s much to see and cruise right on through. There’s no big sign advertising the Depot Museum. The folks of Rudyard think that word-of-mouth is the best advertising. But if you love history, you’ll want to turn off the cruise control and swing into this small town.
The museum is called the Depot Museum because it’s in the old Great Northern depot that once sat next to the tracks just south of town. The Rudyard Historical Society purchased the building for $1 and moved it to its new home several years ago. This is more than just a Rudyard Museum. This is a museum of the Hi-Line. The grounds are home to a blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a homesteaders shack. The museum itself houses photographs, glassware, uniforms, and artifacts from across the Hi-Line.
Probably the most important part of the museum sits at the corner of the complex. The “Paper Museum” is a climate-controlled concrete building that houses old Hingham newspapers from 1911 to 1952. The Inverness and Rudyard papers are stored there also. Written documents, school and graduation documents, photographs, and anything that ties people to the community is stored there.
When you park there take special notice of the 100-foot long and 42-inch high wall. It is filled with colored stones each with the name of a homesteader, veteran, or other deceased Hi-Line resident whose name has been carefully penciled on the stone.
The museum is open from June 1 through the middle of September, Tuesday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Depot Museum