Gene Copeland has a very unique museum in McPherson.  Gene and his son Rick have compiled a tremendous array of tools, implements and other nostalgic items from a cross section of the American experience.  Housed in a metal building on Mulberry street, the museum covers two floors and consists of a scattering of shelves and display cases filled with stuff we could have looked at all afternoon.  Our medical expert, "Doc" Moore, was seen either testing the dental chair or sleeping. In either event he enjoyed the Heritage Museum as we all did.

We were greeted and offered coffee and cookies by our hosts and enjoyed a few minutes of discussion of various Air Force bases that Gene had served at over the years.  Most of them were the same bases where at least one of us had served at one time or another.  As we wandered around the museum most of us were familiar with a majority of the implements such as this old washing machine.  Gene and Rick have spent considerable time preparing displays of common items.

It was a particular pleasure to learn that the visit by the Council of Chiefs was the very first tour group at the Heritage Museum. We consider that an honor!  We are confident that there will be many more tour groups to come in the future ... and when we get back that way you can be sure we will drop in to have some cookies and coffee with Gene and Rick and their friends. Who could think of a better way to spend the day?