Friends,
We have good news! Several of our best Pillsbury artifacts from the plant have been recovered from the 413 Adams St. building fire scene. These items include: the bicep doughboy panel, the smutters chalkboard, three custom metal grain scoops, and the service department rolodex. In total, we are estimating that about 30% of the art and artifact collection stored and exhibited on the third floor of the 413 Adams St. building were recovered.
Last week the building was released back to the owners. They then allowed us to access the structurally sound back of the building and collect what we could in a reasonably safe manner. With several hours of careful digging through debris, we eventually found and recovered several of our best artifacts. We are grateful that they survived!
Planning has begun for a new exhibit with these artifacts. We are working diligently on finding an appropriate place for their longer term preservation. These are important pieces of the Pillsbury flour milling and manufacturing story in Springfield. The efforts of many volunteers have made this a great aspect of the overall Pillsbury Project.
Thank you for being a part of this important community project.
~ Team Pillsbury