Dedication, open house set for Depot Brick Project

AMBOY - The Amboy Depot Museum Commemorative Brick Project, Phase I, has been completed. Many of our community members, businesses and organizations have become a permanent part of Amboy's rich history.

A Dedication and Open House for the Amboy Depot Museum Commemorative Brick Project will be held on Sunday, July 1, at 2 p.m.

The concrete work was done by Greg Noble Concrete construction. The bricks were placed by Dreamscapes by Dennis. Both of these businesses donated their time and labor to the project. The City maintenance crew helped as well by moving the monuments, hauling in gravel and bringing chairs.

A total of 197 commemorative bricks were purchased. The final product, along with the memorials of the 100th anniversaries of the Illinois Central Rail Road and the Conductors and Brakemen Union is striking.

The Depot Commission hopes that many will attend the dedication and open house on July 1. Clint Conway, the first chairman of the Amboy Depot Commission in 1973, will be the featured speaker. Jack Dempsey, the current chairman of the Depot Commission, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Amanda Walter, who conceived the idea, did the research and presented it to the board, will also give a presentation. She is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and one of the many members who assisted with the project. Kathy Mekeel, Amboy High School music instructor, and Jennifer Seeley, Amboy Jr. High music instructor, will do a musical presentation.

After the dedication, Miss Amboy, Carly Barlow, will conduct a drawing for a depot print. There will also be light refreshments. An open house will follow, with all attendees welcome to visit the depot museum, freight house and Palmer School after the ceremony.

The Depot Commission will commence with Phase II of the historical project after the dedication. If anyone wants to become a lasting, visual part of Amboy's history, they may call 857-4700 or 857-3788 or get on amboydepotmuseum.thatsmybrick.com to order a brick.