Tryon museum wants to house visitor’s center

TRYON — Tryon Commissioners are currently considering whether to move its visitor center to the Tryon Historical Museum, but the move could come at a price.

Dick Calloway, with the museum, proposed the move to town council during the town’s meeting Tuesday. The museum’s proposal is for the town to pay the museum $500 per month, to provide brochures and to pay for insurance.

Calloway said the museum is proposing the visitor center move from town hall to the museum downtown. He said there are more visitors downtown and more foot traffic. Calloway also said the museum is open on Saturdays, while town hall is not.

“We’re offering to be open for 30 hours per week,” Calloway said.

Calloway said if the town agreed to move the visitor center, the museum would agree to be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The museum, located at 26 Maple St., Tryon, is currently open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Calloway said if more volunteers are needed to run the visitor’s center and museum more hours, they will get more volunteers.

Commissioner Bill Ingham clarified that the museum is asking for $500 a month from the town.

Calloway said he is not sure if the money would come from the town or the town’s occupancy tax.

“Are you asking for the town to be responsible for the insurance,” Tryon Town Manager Zach Ollis asked.

Calloway said the museum could be flexible.

Commissioner Bill Crowell asked how many visitors the museum saw during the World Equestrian Games.

Museum volunteers said about 200 signed the book, but some did not sign the book.

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples said the town would do some research on the proposal and will bring it back at November’s council meeting. Crowell added that the proposal should be taken to the town’s tourism board.

“We appreciate your consideration,” Calloway said.