The City of Hamlet will unveil the remodeled Hamlet Depot Museum at 2 Main Street at 10 a.m. today. Tours will be available after the ceremony. As of right now, the museum will be open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 1 to 5 p.m. at no cost to the public.

“I haven’t seen it yet,” said Deana Bristow, branch manager of RBC in Hamlet and treasurer of the Hamlet Museum Depot Board. “It will be a surprise for me.”

Visitors will see historic railroad artifacts and interactive displays.

“It’s exciting to think about what it looks like,” Bristow said. “People seemed really interested in pulling things together for this project.”

Remarks in regards to the museum will be given by Allan Paul, director of operations and facilities of the NCDOT Rail Division.

“This has been a wonderful time working on the project,” he said. “I’m glad that we could develop a better presentation that will tell the story of Hamlet.”

Secretary of the Hamlet Depot Museum Board Wilson Hayes reflects on his life on the railroad.

“I was a railroad conductor for 42 years,” he said. “I look forward to seeing it.”

Hayes went on to say that being in the railroad business has been in his family for years and he hopes to have some of his family artifacts on display.

The Queen Anne Passenger Depot once served as the hub of the Seaboard for the Seaboard Airline Railroad. Today it houses the regional crew quarters for Amtrak, professional offices and banquet facilities.

In addition, the new museum will focus on Hamlet’s railroad history and will include both railroad and Hamlet memorabilia.

“We are really impressed with the quality of work,” Paul said. “And this will be a great educational experience.”

Paul thinks this attraction will serve as an economic boost for the city and people will come and spend their money.

“This will certainly have a regional draw,” he said. “The city staff, lead by Marchelle Adams-David, and the citizens committee have really done a great job.”

The museum will have a professional quality exhibit design.

“Work to improve the museum, has been going on for years and we are there now,” said Bobby Singletary, member of Hamlet Depot Board of Directors and the Hamlet Business Development Association. “We are working on making Hamlet an interesting place to visit for one reason or another.”

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com