Judy Reneker Burd, who along with Retha Hicks initiated the annual Winona Lake Community Appreciation Dinner and the Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award, recently announced that the family has requested that the name of the Reneker Museum of Winona History in Westminster Hall be changed to reflect a broader community orientation.

Speaking at this year’s Community Appreciation Banquet, Burd recounted how Betty Congdon Reneker, as a small girl in 1917, experienced her first visit to Winona Lake via the interurban railroad. Later in life, after her son, community activist and Winona town council president Bill Reneker died, Mrs. Reneker provided significant funding for the founding of the museum, which is housed in the former offices of the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack Publishing Company in the former Westminster Hotel.

Prior to his death in 1993, William Reneker had been an energetic supporter of the town of Winona Lake, and his mother thought it a fitting tribute to name the new history museum in his honor.

The following statement on the development of the museum, which opened in the spring of 2000, and the request for re-naming, was read at the annual dinner:

“Dr. Steve Grill did a masterful job of putting together a world-class museum in this small town,” Burd said. “It has been an honor to have the Bill Reneker name attached to it. However, all of us in the family have many times had to say ‘no … the museum is not about Bill Reneker.’ We feel that the name has hindered some folks from going through the museum.”

“Now, 20 years after Bill’s death and in recognition of Winona’s Centennial, we have recommended to Grace College that they give a more descriptive name to the museum so it would more broadly appeal to the public and to scholars.

“Therefore, tonight the Reneker family and Grace College announce that the new name will be The Museum and Archives of Winona History.”

Grace College & Seminary owns the building and operates the museum. Grace’s president, Dr. Bill Katip, expressed his appreciation for the initial gift and continuing support of the family.

“It was the vision of our previous president, Dr. Ron Manahan, that saved the Westminster from destruction,” Katip recalled, and he described the museum and restored hotel as a “precious gem the helps history come alive” to those who visit the museum and the Billy Sunday home. In addition to casual visitors, the museum and archives are frequently visited by scholars who are working on academic history projects.

The museum, which is in the west wing of the Westminster, is open most weekday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and other times by appointment. There is no charge, and arrangements to see either the museum or the Billy Sunday home may be made by calling 574-372-5193 or 574-527-9573.