Remodeling continues with hopes of opening this summer
The House of Flags Museum has been featured in the “Flag Master,” a London magazine organized by the Flag Institute.
House of Flags Chairman Robert Williamson said yesterday that the magazine should be delivered soon as the House of Flags has already been featured. As Lair told commissioners at the March 21 board of commissioners meeting, the “Flag Master” wanted to feature the House of Flags because they had never heard of another flag museum anywhere in the world.
Bob Lair, vice-chair of the House of Flags board, gave commissioners their first “good news” update on the remodeling efforts of the House of Flags Museum. He said hopes are the new museum will be open by the Fourth of July, but the way things are going an opening date is hard to predict.
The remodeling project of the former Columbus Fire House located adjacent to Veteran’s Park and just behind the Polk County Courthouse in downtown Columbus is progressing. Lair said the front of the building, which was an addition for the lobby on a town easement, is about 60 percent complete.
Work so far has resulted in five full dumpsters of material being removed from the building. The dumpsters, hauling and a port-a-jon were donated by AllBright Sanitation, Lair said.
Lair also reported that the House of Flags has held three volunteer work days so far in an attempt to save money.
The House of Flags will also donate three United States flags to the Polk County Middle School ball fields this year for the third year in a row.
Lair also told commissioners that despite running into some issues that have cost money, the House of Flags has enough money to complete the first phase of the project. Grants are pending for the second phase, but museum officials said community support is welcome. Donations may be sent to House of Flags, P.O. Box 1090, Columbus, N.C. 28722.
Upon completion of the remodeling, the House of Flags will relocate from its current location at the former Green Creek School.
Williamson said the remodeling project will double the facility’s space. The current location has approximately 2,500 square feet and the former fire house has approximately 5,700 square feet. The former firehouse is two stories, with the second phase of the project being the remodeling of the upstairs. Plans include a library, flag displays and storage.
The remodeling of the downstairs currently being done includes the addition of an entrance and lobby area. A room to the left will be used as the large flag display area, with other areas for military flags and a gift shop. The entire building will be handicapped-accessible.
The House of Flags currently has more than 300 flags, and the Green Creek location is not large enough to display them all. Williamson said the new building has plenty of room for the full collection.
The former firehouse was donated by Polk County to the House of Flags so that a new museum could be created in downtown Columbus.