Title
Weekly News February 25, 2019Description
Constant Change: Many have asked during the last week what will become of “Tom Marshall’s Weekly News” without Tom. We are considering several options, but without question, things will change.
As shared in last week’s “News,” Tom embraced progress and looked upon change as a stepping stone to growth. When asked in 2008 what he and Ruth would like to see happen at Auburn Heights in the future, he wrote, “No property or collection should remain static; i.e., we can’t envision Auburn Heights and its collections staying as they are now in perpetuity. Certainly the property has evolved to where it is today by constant change.”
While many aging founders have resisted change, Tom Marshall was anything but typical. He welcomed new opportunities, always encouraging me to update exhibits, try new programs and constantly work toward improving the museum facility & visitor experience. When he launched his weekly emails in 2005, he reported having just over 40 members in the newly formed Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve (incidentally, he sent the “News” from his home computer using his personal email until 2010). Today, we serve approximately 400 member households, and the site has evolved from a “preserve” to a full-fledged state park (yes, the Friends of Auburn Heights will soon be shortening its name and dropping “Preserve” to reflect this milestone). Tom was pleased with the growth and change; he welcomed progress and urged us forward at every opportunity.
So while this will be the last “Tom Marshall’s Weekly News” in its current format, we will surely continue his legacy of sharing.
Thank you for your support and encouragement as we adjust to the loss of our visionary founder!
Susan Randolph
Executive Director, Friends of Auburn Heights
Memorial Donations Honoring Tom Marshall
We’ve received inquiries about memorials for Tom and information on how to make gifts in his honor. We invite all to read the kind tributes to Tom, along with his obituary and select images on our website.
Per family wishes, memorial donations may be made to Historic Red Clay Valley Inc./Wilmington & Western Railroad (Tom’s first “child”) or to the Friends of Auburn Heights (FAH, his “second-born”).
Friends of Auburn Heights
PO Box 61
Yorklyn DE 19736
AuburnHeights.org / 302-239-2385
Click here to make your memorial gift to the Friends of Auburn Heights online
or
Wilmington & Western Railroad/Historic Red Clay Valley Inc.
PO Box 5787
Wilmington, DE 19808
wwrr.com / 302-998-1930
Work Report: On Tuesday February 19, 12 volunteers attended the work session as follows: Bill Boston, Steve Bryce, Devon Hall, Rose Ann Hoover, Ted Kamen, Bob Koury, Stan Lakey, Michael Leister, Brent McDougall, Jim Personti, John Ryan, and Larry Tennity (Supervising)
• The seats were returned to the mountain wagon and the top was put back on. The last seat in the wagon required minor repairs to the wood platform and support under the seat which was done.
• The AVRR crew moved some artifacts to the second floor of the museum. The train crew also assembled some of the 3-axle trucks.
• The original oil pump for the Model 740 was disassembled and cleaned. After reassembly, the pump was bench tested using an oil pressure gauge and was able to obtain pressure with both the priming hand crank and the crank shaft at the other end of the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir/pump will be returned to the car for further testing.
• The empty cardboard boxes left in the museum by the electricians installing new lights were moved to the recycling bins.
• An attempt was made to work on the horn of the 37 Packard but the battery is dead and probably will need to be replaced. It is completely discharged even with a trickle charger attached. It looks like the battery is not taking a charge.
The Wednesday February 20 work session was cancelled due to the snowstorm.
