Old school gym to be converted into Sultana Museum

Planners hope GoFundMe effort will help fund project to create new home for infamous disaster memorabilia

news@theeveningtimes.

com The first phase of a sixphase plan to convert the old school gymnasium across Old Military Road from the Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet into a state-of-the-art Sultana museum is now underway, with a special fundraiser with proceeds of a special fundraiser going to repurpose the 14,500 square foot museum, Project Manager Dr. Louis Intres said.

The ultimate goal of this ambitious project is to make the Sultan Museum a focal point to attract tourists and newcomers alike and to learn the history of the worst maritime disaster on record in the United States.

Intres pointed out there is not only a human aspect of this disaster which occurred on April 27, 1865, but the fact that is occurred near Marion on the Mississippi River which makes it especially interesting.

“This first fundraising phase is the beginning of a three month endeavor to raise a total of $76,000 and is a prerequisite to the announcement of a bigger and greater national fund raising campaign, Inres said.

“The contributions will cover the cost of the design schematics, exhibit concept work and use of technology.

“We are currently seeking individual as well as corporate donations which will include the creation of a “Go Fund Me page we are calling the ‘Sultana Disaster Museum Conceptual Design,’” Intres said.

All donations are 100 percent tax deductible and will be added to the $7,400 that has already been raised, which includes a private citizen donation of $5,000.

Anyone interesting in becoming part of this worthwhile endeavor can do so by going to www.

gofundme.com and searching for the Sultana Disaster Museum Conceptual Design project.

Or, patrons can also go the Evening Times Facebook page or send checks payable to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society in care of Dr. Louis Intres.

Anyone wanting more information on the Sultana project can e-mail to lgi.

sultana1@gmail.com and can also phone Dr. Intres at 870-559-6299.

A complete history of the Sultana Disaster can be found by going to www.

sultanadisastermuseum.org.