The 103-year old building is history in itself, but the former site of Peerless Woolen Mills may soon house centuries of American war history.

Two Walker County residents have secured space to establish the “Veterans of All Wars,” museum, said World War II veteran Robert Honeycutt. “We want to have a room for each war.” Mr. Honeycutt said.

He and LaFayette resident Marilyn Johnson, are looking for community support to build a collection.

“We have a lease in hand,” Mrs. Johnson said. “We are actively beginning to campaign to make this a high-quality museum. It really can’t turn into that without the help of people in the vicinity.”

The two are asking for the public to donate or loan artifacts from any American war.

“We want anything pertaining to the military, (such as) letters or uniforms,” Mrs. Johnson said. “The main purpose of this museum is to preserve every item possible.”

The two already have many items to start the museum’s collection. Mr. Honeycutt was a staff sergeant and photographer during the war. He survived an 800-mile, 86-day German prisoner-of-war death march through Polish winter snows.

He has photos and awards — such as nine Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart — to donate to the museum. His book chronicling his war experience “The Eleventh Man” will be one of the many books on display, he said.

Mr. Honeycutt said he visits area schools to share his story with students in an effort to keep the history alive.

Mrs. Johnson, whose father and husband were veterans, said she spends her free time writing veterans to say “thank you” for their service, she said. She will display about 2,000 photos and letters from soldiers, she said.

Owner of the mill Les Coffey said he thinks the museum will fit the building well and will bring in people.

“It is a good community service,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of artists upstairs that have rented... and what he is doing is really going to blend well with that.”

Rossville Mayor Johnny Baker supports the museum. “The city endorses it and would love to see a location where we can talk about history,” he said.

Mrs. Johnson said any items donated or loaned will be cared for, and if the museum does not succeed, they will be returned.

“(The museum) has been a fantasy of mine for so long, I can’t dare to dream it is going to happen,” she said.

WHOM TO CONTACT

To learn more or to donate memorabilia, call Robert Honeycutt at (706) 866-4069.