Olivia Webb

Richmond County Daily Journal

Eight exhibit design teams from seven different states gathered in the Hamlet Depot Rotunda last week to discuss history and interactive education concepts with the City of Hamlet.

Each firm has been invited to submit a proposal for the Hamlet Depot exhibit design project by April 28.

“I think it’s a beautiful building,” said Shana West, a content specialist with Synergy Design Group in Tallahassee, FL. “And it’s a wonderful opportunity to really get in touch with the people of Hamlet.

The meeting was an opportunity for architect David E. Gall, City Manager Marchell Adams David and other local representatives to answer questions and flesh out the feasibility of their wants and needs.

And that means keeping with what their part-time volunteer staff can reasonably handle.

“We need to look at our audience,” said David. “Most of the people that come to the museum are young adults and kids. We don’t necessarily need glowing hi-tech. It needs to be relatively low maintenance.”

The city is looking to tell rail industry history with a local focus; they have a $500,000 to do it with —  80 percent from federal enhancement funds, 10 percent from the city and another 10 percent from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

“In doing this project, we’ve formed relationships and partnerships in places we didn’t know we could,” said David, when designers asked about access to the tools and resources they’ll need to tell the story of Hamlet. “We’re going to hold your hand all the way through.”

“I had my interview (as project architect) in 1997; in competing against other architects, I think part of what made me successful was I immersed myself in the history of the community,” said Gall, who added that the public library is a great place to start.

The group toured the historic building as locals like Depot Board Chair Jim Graham explained various pieces on display - a picture of the first child ever buried in Hamlet’s cemetery, a Billy Bathgate movie poster - all being seen through the fresh eyes of various designers.

“This is so cool!” said Synergy CEO and President Mary Frances Turner, as she and colleagues stared at the detailed model train that runs on a track in the depot basement.

The group finished their tour wearing hard hats in the Lassiter building across the street, now the future “Antique Vehicle Display Museum.”

A historic, full-scale model of the Tornado locomotive, a Model T automobile and a 16 feet x 20 model railroad will be on display in the historic commercial building’s 2,500 square feet of exhibit space. Two historic fire engines will be placed in the exterior covered pavilion.

Designers were later invited to view a DOT promotional video of the Depot’s history, including a time-lapse photographic montage. One camera placed outside the building took a picture every 30 minutes throughout the years of restoration.

“The rail division of the DOT had a marvelous vision for this whole project,” said Gall. “You can see the entire process of what it took to get this building moved.”

According to Gall, proposals will be reviewed at Hamlet City Hall and responded to in as early as two to three weeks afterward.

“We’re going to make every effort to expedite your work,” said Gall.