ELBERTA, Ala. — The grand opening of the “Odyssey SHIPWRECK! Treasures from the SS Republic” was canceled due to the arrival of Hurricane Gustav.

With respect for the long connection between hurricanes and the S.S. Republic as well as the interesting storm season we are experiencing in Baldwin County, the board of directors of the Baldwin County Heritage Museum voted at their monthly meeting to quietly open the Odyssey exhibit to the public on Sept. 11, but to postpone a gala celebration until the last weekend of October.

Becky Holliday, education director and curator for the Odyssey exhibit explained, “The board recognizes the efforts of the dozens of volunteers that will be coming from across the county to participate in the opening festivities. We want to protect the outdoor exhibits of vintage tractors, heritage musicians with their antique instruments and beautiful costumes, the Boy Scout flag ceremony and the new catering wagon from Tambo’s.”

Oct. 25 is a fitting date to select when one realizes that 143 years ago the S.S. Republic went down in a hurricane on Oct. 24, 1865. The exhibit will continue throughout the 200th anniversary celebration of Baldwin County.

The museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum, grounds, outbuildings as well as the entertainment that will be provided at the grand opening is free to the public. Only the shipwreck exhibit has a fee.

Ticketed events at the museum serve as a fundraiser to generate operating funds for the museum.

There are three two-hour tour periods daily.

“If a guest takes the time to read all of the material available and view all of the information on the modules, they can easily invest a full two hours in the exhibit hall,” Holliday said.

Reservations are highly recommended.

Admission prices are: Adults, $12; Senior citizens, $10; Children ages 2 to 12, $8. Tickets may be purchased online at www.baldwincountyheritagemuseum.com, or by calling the museum at (251) 986-8375.

The Baldwin County Heritage Museum recognizes the sponsorship and efforts of the Baldwin County Commission, The Alabama Bureau of Tourism, Compass Marketing, the town of Elberta, Foley Optimist Club, Lillian Women’s Optimist Club, Boy Scout Troop 97, Eagle Scout Taylor Brey of Troop 177, the South Baldwin Antique Engine and Tractor Club, the Bay Forge Blacksmith Club, the Wisconsin Snowbirds, Gulf Coast CVB, Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Goodrich Tire Co. of Foley, Vulcan, Lowe’s, Reynolds Ace Hardware, Alabama Big Sign, Red Hat Clubs and the  hundreds of volunteer hours invested in this project.

Without their contributions this event would not have been possible.