Park board dedicates Doling museum

The museum features artifacts that trace the history of Doling Park as an amusement park with an on-site roller rink. Original Dodgem bumper cars, an entry gate to the Wild Mouse ride, the original organ from the roller rink, photos, postcards and other paper memorabilia are on display.

R.E. Smith Construction of Joplin is the general contractor for the 1,136-square-foot museum building, which was built on the site of the old roller rink. Hood-Rich Inc. provided architectural and engineering services; engineering also was provided by Smith-Goth Engineers Inc.

The project, which has an estimated price tag of $828,000 according to previous reports in SBJ, is funded by the 2001 voter-approved quarter-cent tax for historical preservation and upgrades of historic parks.

Historic information and retrospective remarks by local park historians will be featured during the dedication.

The Springfield-Greene-County Park Board still welcomes other items to exhibit, according to a news release. Information about donating artifacts is available by calling (417) 864-1049.[[In-content Ad]]