News & events

Keep in touch with what's going on around The Old Post Office Museum. We'll post the latest news and events on this page regularly.

Old Post Office Museum reopens for visitors

Article posted Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 4:28 PM

After years of planning and a renovation, the Old Post Office Museum will open its doors to the public Saturday, October 2, 2010.

The grand opening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the historic downtown post office, will feature an exhibition by Winnsboro artist Margaret Mays Ellerman, said Winnsboro Main Street Manager Kay LaFrance-Knight.

“We are going to have a reception and show off the museum to everyone. The museum will be open to the public at the reception at no charge,” she said.

Members of the community are also invited to become a “friend” of the Old Post Office Museum by renting their old post office boxes, or adopting a different or additional box, for two years. Friends of the museum will have their name and box number displayed on the museum wall. In this way, the community can help sponsor future exhibits and activities of the museum.

Donations are classified according to box size: Postcard, $50; letter carrier, $125; first class, $250; and priority mail, $500.

Patrons may also sponsor various interior and exterior furnishings, as well as exhibits.

Plans for the facility have been developing since 2001 to reopen the old post office, which dates to 1936, as a museum. The $250,000 project was financed by capital outlay money from the state Legislature.

Plans are being made for future exhibits, such as “Toys in the Attic,” which should open December 2, 2010.

The exhibit will feature antique toys donated by local residents, LaFrance-Knight said.

Those who would like more information or would like to donate toys for the event can do so by calling 435-3781.

Booksigning by Former Governor Edwin Edwards slated at OPOM

Article posted Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:52 PM

Former Governor Edwin Edwards and his authorized biographer, Leo Honeycutt, will be at the Old Post Office Museum Sunday afternoon, September 25, 2011, 4 - 6, to greet visitors and sign copies of "Edwin Edwards: An Authorized Biography," the recently acclaimed Louisiana Literary Award winner.

Hosted by Every Occasion Gift Shop in downtown Winnsboro, the booksigning promises to be an historic event.  To reserve your copy of this fascinating book, a true piece of Louisiana history, call 318-435-7069.

"Sight Unseen" an Incredible OPOM Exhibit

Article posted Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 1:19 PM

John Bramblitt, 40, of Denton, TX, had never picked up a paintbrush until complications from a rare form of epilepsy left him blind in his early twenties.  A feature on CBS Evening News led us to him and his incredible talent, which is the featured exhibit at the Old Post Office Museum during September and October.  His work, both beautiful and inspirational, is an amazing testament to the human spirit.

Bramblitt could have retreated into darkness when he lost his sight; instead he chose to give the world a glimpse of the beauty in his mind's eye.  Reaching for a way to cope with his loss, Bramblitt took a paintbrush in hand and found himself as an artist.

"I had drawn all my life.  I was into drawing and illustrating, but I had never painted before," Bramblitt said.  "When I went blind, I found myself in this dark world and I wanted color."

Bramblitt's canvasses not only explode with color, but also depict with remarkable accuracy a world he can no longer see.  With the help of an indominatible spirit and active imagination, he differentiates paint color by texture and painstakingly creates art that surpasses the work of many sighted artists.

His paintings in oil and acrylic include portraits of subjects he has only seen by tracing their features with his fingertips.  Amazingly, that's all it takes for Bramblitt to etch their image in his mind and bring them to life on canvas.

His art has been displayed in over 20 countries and has brought him accolades and acclaim through the United States.  He has been honored with the US Presidential award for volunteerism in 2005, 2006 and 2007, for his work to bringing art instruction to people who generally don't have the advantage of such access.  While here, he conducted workshops at Franklin Academy, Franklin Parish High School and Franklin Community Christian School.  He was also the featured speaker at the Franklin Parish Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting in September.