Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Stroud.
Hi Steve, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was asked by my good friend Bobby Mault to serve on the board of Directors of the Price of Freedom Museum Inc. he founded to museum in his service station, Mault’s Texaco around 1965. His health was declining and he wanted me to help make sure the museum went forward. That was about three years ago. Have been assisting our board chair Bobby Harrison in revitalizing the museum ever since. The COVID pandemic really slowed the museum visitations and we still struggle to get our mission out. We also lost our major financier to cancer a little over two years ago.
We operate as a strictly volunteer organization and currently depend solely on donation as we don’t charge any fees. We have two major events, one being the Saturday nearest D Day and the Saturday nearest 911. At its inception the Rowan County Schools System requires all 5th grader experience a visit as a field trip. That stopped during COVID.. we have been able to have the school system bring 8th graders during their war studies.
In 2004 Mr Mault was able to get a lease on a closed elementary school out in the county for the museum. It opened in 2006 in the cafeteria building and has expanded throughout the school property. There is a room dedicated to the Army, Navy, AIR Force, Marines. One room is setup as an original 1940’s classroom. There is also a a 40’s era three room house in the original kitchen area. We also have the old lunch room set to honor all first responders, fire, law enforcement, ems.
The auditorium has also been renovated and is used to hold bluegrass gospel sings 4-6 times a year. We also have what we call Christmas on the home front where we decorate for the Christmas holidays. Our benefactor, for er Food Lion President also had a new 80 by 100 ft garage built beside the school where he donated his collection of military vehicles. The building is full. The original cafeteria building where the museum started has been renovated and displays various military memorability as well as hundreds of photos of local soldiers. We even have a library containing hundreds of books from war days. We also have around 100 original military paintings from a local artist on display in our hallways along with hundreds of local military uniforms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The largest struggle we have if getting the word out on out very special military museum. When we do get first time visitors, they are in awe of what we have. We also struggle with funding since our benefactor passed.
Pricing:
- We offer an amazing military museum free of charge
Contact Info:
- Website: https://priceoffreedom.us/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/thepriceoffreedommuseum
