The renovated Hamlet Depot Museum was opened to the public Friday.

Begun by the city in 1994, the museum is starting to take the shape officials had in mind.

At the dedication ceremony Friday, City Manager Marchelle Adams-David recalled the words of Mayor Jeff Smart.

“I strive to create a community where guests can spend the weekend and call it a vacation,” she recalled Smart’s comment.

Adams-David elaborated on this goal, saying the city council will consider hiring a permanent curator and open it seven days a week. Until then, it will be open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. There is no cost for admission.

The museum was a four phase project, starting out as a concept to boost tourism in the city. It then went through two design phases and ending with the opening of new exhibits Friday.

“I think that these phases will continue to go on until I retire,” Adams-David said.

Visitors can still purchase a variety of hats, T-shirts and other souvenirs at the museum’s gift shop after taking in the new attractions.

Sharon Davis, former member of the Hamlet Depot Board of Directors, said everything turned out to her satisfaction after 16 years of work.

“This is something that we can be proud of,” she said. “It tells the story that I think all of us want to know about Hamlet.”

The design of the museum is intended to capture moments frozen in time from Hamlet’s heyday as a rail junction.

The interactive displays put you in the conductor’s seat as instructions are given. Timeline boards are placed along the walls to inform visitors of the things that have happened at the Hamlet Depot.

“It’s one thing to preserve a memorial, it’s quite another to make that memorial live again,” said Allan Paul, NCDOT Rail Divisions director of operations and facilities.

Florida installation firm Synergy and Tennessee’s 1220 Exhibits were selected for the project.

“The installers and designers have gone to great lengths to ensure that school groups, tourists and area residents will get involved with the history of this important place,” Paul said.

The model train display in the basement was designed for the time frame of 1945 to 1955. The display depicts the look of the city back in those days, with outhouses, trees, shrubbery and lakes. It may bring back memories.

“This is what we wanted,” said city employee Bobby Moser. “We wanted to get people to reminisce about the railroad.”

More than 300 artifacts were collected from people in Richmond County. All of the artifacts can’t be displayed, but will be offered in rotation.

According to Paul, history is now brought back to life, surrounding such events as lifestyles, attitudes and the relationship of people to their work environments.

“Thanks to the hard work of many, this museum now successfully develops links to visitors with the experience that has been interpreted here so well,” Paul said. “I’m sure, big city museums would be very envious of this.”

Smart said that things could not have been done without the people of Hamlet.

“From the conception stage to the completed phase, the City of Hamlet is indebted to you,” he said.

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