Just like home

“We wanted it to feel like they could step in and feel at home,” said Larry Hiatt.
A new room at the Jay County Historical Society Museum honoring Eugene and Jane Gillum will open to the public for the first time Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. during a special open house.
Hiatt, who with his wife Maria, co-chairs the museum committee, said the room will showcase Dr. Gillum’s extensive collection of apothecary jars and bottles as well as many of Jane Gillum’s painted china pieces.
The Gillums, who had been an active part of the Jay County community since 1954, moved to Chelsea, Mich., last year to be closer to their daughter, Janene Centurione.
The Hiatts worked closely with Janene to make the room look as if visitors are in the Gillums’ home.
Furniture, model airplanes, photographs, and memorabilia from Dr. Gillum’s medical practice are now part of the museum’s collection.
“This would have been auctioned,” said Hiatt, gesturing around the room.
Among the items rescued is a series of small notebooks in which Dr. Gillum recorded every infant he had helped deliver in his Jay County practice.
Born in Randolph County, Eugene Gillum worked on aircraft engines during World War II and dreamed of a career in aviation.
After the war, he attended Earlham College, Richmond, as a pre-med student.
It was during that period that he met Jane Ann Lawrence, an Indiana University graduate who was teaching school. They married in 1948.
Dr. Gillum was recruited to come to Jay County to practice medicine following the untimely death of Dr. John Engle at age 39.
In retirement, Dr. Gillum has written extensively about American aircraft history. A number of his books are available through the museum.
Hiatt noted that the Gillum family has provided financial backing for expenses associated with creating the new displays and a visitors’ book will be available to sign and leave messages for the couple.
“I wish they could be here,” said Hiatt.
In addition to the items donated to the historical society museum, the Gillums also donated a number of military and aviation pieces to the Museum of the Soldier, where Dr. Gillum had served on the board of directors.[[In-content Ad]]