In preparation for resuming volunteer work at Mid-Continent, I’m pleased to rollout the 2021 Restoration Department Volunteer Work Session Schedule. The volunteer work sessions kick off with the first session on April 5th – 7th and runs through December with one or more session each month. In addition, based on the availability of volunteers, we will add a number of non-scheduled sessions during the season so be sure to be on the outlook for these notices.

About a week prior to each session a reminder and call for help will be posted to the Member’s Discussion Board [Mid-Continent membership required to access] and a notice will be sent out via email to the volunteers on the Restoration Department’s email distribution list. To help with the work session planning we’re asking all volunteers interested in joining a work session to contact Bill Buhrmaster in advance of the work session. This helps make sure that we make the best use of our volunteers and we can have productive sessions. [If you don’t already have Bill’s contact info, reach out to the MCRM office at inquiries@midcontinent.org].

We have a solid core of volunteers that help with the restoration work and we’re very interested in expanding the group that actively participates in the Car Shop. Our doors are open to anyone willing to give us a hand and help us with the restoration work. Give us a hand for a day or several days throughout the summer. Every bit of help make a difference and is appreciated. We have a wide range of needs (i.e. painting, cleaning, stripping, wood work, roofing, refinishing, upholstery, metal work and more) and everyone can be a help. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more information, please feel free to drop into the Car Shop during a work session or contact me.

For everyone’s safety and health we will be following the Covid regulations including those for social distancing and for wearing masks. We will have and maintain the appropriate cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer on hand in the Car Shop. The regulations and requirements may change over time but we want to do our part to make sure everyone returns home healthy.

In the event that you’re not comfortable working at the museum during the pandemic or you’d like to like to do some volunteering from home we can use your help with our “at home” projects. We maintain a good size list of “at home” projects that may be of interest. This is work that can be picked up at the museum, worked on at home and returned to the museum at a later date. The “at home” projects are typically parts and pieces that need to be cleaned up and repainted or new parts that require painting and varnishing. Please contact me if you’re interested in assisting with any of the “at-home” projects.

Despite the pandemic we managed to have a productive 2020 thanks to outstanding support from the volunteers that participated in the work sessions and helped us out from their homes. We’re hoping to do even better this year as we have a good project list and plenty of opportunities for volunteers to participate in a wide variety of projects. Please join us as we welcome everyone willing to help us preserve and restore Mid-Continent’s Collection pieces.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in the Car Shop! 

Bill Buhrmaster
MCRM Restoration Manager

Date(s)	Session Type
April 5-6-7	Restoration Dept. Work Session
April 9-10-11	Restoration Dept. Work Session
April 16-17-18	CANCELED: Restoration Dept. Work Session
April 23-24-25	ADDED: Restoration Dept. Work Session
April 30 – May 2	Restoration Dept. Work Session
May 14-15-16	Restoration Dept. Work Session
June 4-5-6	Restoration Dept. Work Session
June 25-26-27	Restoration Dept. Work Session
July 9-10-11	Restoration Dept. Work Session
July 23-24-25	Restoration Dept. Work Session
August 6-7-8	Restoration Dept. Work Session
August 20-21-22	Restoration Dept. Work Session
August 28-29	ADDED: Restoration Dept. Work Session
September 10-11-12	Restoration Dept. Work Session
September 17-18-19	Restoration Dept. Work Session
October 1-2-3	Restoration Dept. Work Session
October 2-3	Vintage Rail Car Tours Event
October 15-16-17	Restoration Dept. Work Session
October 22-23-24-25	ADDED: Restoration Dept. Work Session
October 28-29-30-31	MORE DAYS ADDED: Restoration Dept. Work Session
November 13-14	Restoration Dept. Work Session
December 4-5	Restoration Dept. Work Session