The former Old Rugged Cross Museum building on N. Park Street in Reed City is now home to the Reed City Scout organization.
Pioneer photos/Cathie CrewREED CITY — The Reed City BSA Troop 74 and Cub Scouts Pack 174 have a new home in the former Old Rugged Cross Museum building, and plans are underway for renovations to the building.
In May 2022, the city council approved a five year lease agreement with the Reed City Scout Center Board, the charter organization for the BSA Troop 74 and Cub Scout Pack 174, to lease the former museum building, which is owned by the city. They began using the building in June 2022.
“Part of the lease agreement allows the group to maintain the property, including painting, new roof installation and other modifications,” city manager Rich Saladin told the Herald Review.
At a meeting in February, the council approved a proposal from the organization to switch out the old propane tank and replace it with a smaller one from a new service provider, remove the wooden cross from the premises, reroof the building and replace the entry doors.
Scout leader Russ Nehmer told the Herald Review that some renovations have already been completed including new interior paint and lighting, new window treatments and professional carpet cleaning.
In September 2020, the museum suffered financial struggles resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The newly established board of directors was approached by the John. W. McDowell family with an offer for them to move the museum to the former McDowell Funeral Home building on Slosson Street, which they accepted.
A news release at the time said John McDowell “generously and graciously” willed his building to the Old Rugged Cross Historical Society organization.
Following several months of cataloging and organizing, the museum artifacts were moved to the new location and a grand opening was held in August 2021.
