AROUND-TOWN

Saluda Historic Depot gets ready for new season

Staff Writer
Herald-Journal
This is a photo of the Saluda Grade Diorama Exhibit in the Saluda Historic Depot in Saluda, N.C. [Photo by Vince Verrecchio]

The Saluda, N.C. Historic Depot board met in January to plan for this year and update the business plan. In preparation, each board member prepared accomplishments and “wish lists” to review. The board listed several of its accomplishments from 2018. Here is a list:

• Operated Depot with excellent stewardship producing a strong financial position due to our grants, corporate sponsorships, donations, memberships, golf tournament, and gift station sales.

• Added new board member Dave O’Brien and Bob Keeton joined as an at-large member.

• Held the annual Golf Tournament at Kenmure Country Club netting $13,000.

• Launched the Saluda Historic Depot Theatre Troupe led by Corinne Gerwe, which  produced a play and one musical with almost 450 people attending.

• Repaired and painted exterior of the building with funds received from the Henderson County Community Foundation, Polk County Appearance Committee and Polk County Community Foundation.

• Increased attendance to the Depot with more than 10,000 signatures in 2018 from guests and tour groups that visited the Depot. Combining previous years’ totals of recorded signatures, approximately 25,000 guests have visited the Depot since May 2015.

• Enhanced a visitor’s experience of the Depot by holding monthly training for volunteers and board members to support operations and to teach and strengthen the knowledge of Saluda’s history and its railroad heritage.

• Hosted 10 Saluda Train TalesTM with more than 60 attending each event and held a 50th Anniversary Celebration of the last passenger train, the Carolina Special that came up the Saluda Grade.

• Updated SHD brochure by Vince Verrecchio to include all new exhibits.

Plans for 2019 include: submitting grants to support the operations of the Depot, improve the quality of displays and artifacts received in the Depot, refinish the floors, and to plan an open house to showcase what has become a destination to Saluda.

In addition, the group plans to increase attendance with more tours, hours of operation, memberships, and corporate sponsorships. Ten Saluda Train TalesTM already have been confirmed as well as plans for the annual golf tournament and several more stage plays for the community.

“We sincerely thank all our donors, members, corporate sponsors, speakers and grant supporters who have believed in and contributed to the Saluda Historic Depot. Also, to our board members: Cathy Jackson, Mary Meyland-Mason, Bruce Hunt, Carolyn Ashburn, Kay Garell, Corinne Gerwe, Jack Milhaupt, and Dave O’Brien, our at-large members: Mark Ray, Anita Moore and Bob Keeton, and to our many volunteers who educate and inform visitors about Saluda history and the community,” Chairperson Judy Ward said in a statement.

A group of citizens formed a nonprofit and purchased the building in June 2016, and has created a railroad and heritage museum to celebrate and memorialize the town’s railroad history and its beginnings. All donations are tax deductible. Donations and memberships to the Saluda Historic Depot in 2019 will enable the group to receive incentive grant funds from the Polk County Community Foundation.

After a winter hiatus The Depot will re-open in March. Hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and includes seasonal exhibits, Saluda Grade “O Grade” Diorama and “G Grade” train dioramas of the different railroad eras in Saluda. There are also running videos of trains that came up the Saluda Grade and a gift shop. The Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32. W Main St., Saluda, NC 28773. To view past Saluda Train TalesTM and more information, please visit saludahistoricdepot.com or Facebook.