Recently the Bobby and JoAnn Tichnell family of Frederick, MD donated an antique roll top desk to the Oakland B&O Museum. Bobby was born and raised in the Walnut Bottom area. Pictured with the desk is Bobby, JoAnn, son David, grandson Connor, and nephew Gary. The desk was made in Parkersburg, WV over 100 years ago by the Bentley & Gerwig Furniture Company. It is designated NO. 325 GLD OAK. It was owned by D. E. Bolden of Oakland who was a prominent businessman, builder, and undertaker. Later it was acquired by the Hamill Coal Company of Kitzmiller, MD. The Tichnell's have had the desk in their Frederick home for years and wanted it to come back to Oakland and be on display. It has been placed in the Ticket Master Room and the committee is placing office artifacts on the desk. Anyone having office artifacts, particularly B&O Railroad office items, and wanting to donate them to the Oakland B&O Museum please contact Bob Shaffer at 301-334-9727.
A SPECIAL THANKS.... Under the leadership of the B&O Committee, the 1884 B&O Railroad Station has undergone a complete, historically-accurate restoration with strong support from the community and from the Mayor and Town Council of Oakland.
The exterior renovations included the repair of historic windows, roof
shingles, gutters and general painting. Interior renovations included the addition of a central air system, humidity controls, ultraviolet light filters, refinished floors, painting and upgrades to the heating and security systems. The turret also was repaired inside and out. These were recommendations made by the B&O Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
The B&O Museum Committee has been busy building partnerships with a
variety of organizations, local governments as well as private foundations in
order to preserve the heritage of the train station.
Funds were received from the Naylor Foundation, the Maryland State Bond Bill, and the Maryland State Tax Credit Program. Additionally, the museum received a project grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund through the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Area for a classroom in the baggage room.
The exterior renovations included the repair of historic windows, roof
shingles, gutters and general painting. Interior renovations included the addition of a central air system, humidity controls, ultraviolet light filters, refinished floors, painting and upgrades to the heating and security systems. The turret also was repaired inside and out. These were recommendations made by the B&O Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
The B&O Museum Committee has been busy building partnerships with a
variety of organizations, local governments as well as private foundations in
order to preserve the heritage of the train station.
Funds were received from the Naylor Foundation, the Maryland State Bond Bill, and the Maryland State Tax Credit Program. Additionally, the museum received a project grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund through the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Area for a classroom in the baggage room.
Museum Volunteer Opportunities: There are presently twenty-five committee members for the Museum and twenty volunteers. The Museum is always looking for new volunteers: to meet the public, to work on all aspects of Museum publicity, to do historical research, to help with the gift shop, to show people how to operate the telegraph, to serve on the Educational sub-committee to work with the Board of Education for school visits, to plan and help with events, to explore purchasing a steam engine for display, to investigate a weekly Amtrak train from Washington to Oakland or to serve on the building committee.
Chairing these various subcommittees: Bob Shaffer, Michelle Ross, Morgan France, Aaron White, Barb Heilig, Kathy Biltz, Ralph Biltz, Bill Nemith, Carl Gray, Sue Gray, Mary Jane Fike, Cindy Sharon, Marilyn Moors, Cheryl DeBerry, and Miriam Sincell Burton. Committee members and volunteers meet the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m.
Newest committee members and volunteers:
Chairing these various subcommittees: Bob Shaffer, Michelle Ross, Morgan France, Aaron White, Barb Heilig, Kathy Biltz, Ralph Biltz, Bill Nemith, Carl Gray, Sue Gray, Mary Jane Fike, Cindy Sharon, Marilyn Moors, Cheryl DeBerry, and Miriam Sincell Burton. Committee members and volunteers meet the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m.
Newest committee members and volunteers:
- Lara Wilson
- Wayne Johnson
- Ariel Robinson
- Rob Michael
- Leo Howard