HEYWORTH - In 1959, hauling water for an elderly neighbor was all 12-year-old Gary Simpkins needed to help pay for his first military relic, a .58-caliber Civil War bayonet. | MyPantagraph: Heyworth Neighborhood | MyPantagraph: Military Families and Veterans Group

"I really wanted that bayonet because the Civil War bug had bit me," Simpkins recalled. "It was the first time I had my hands on something from the Civil War."

A down payment of $1 to a Heyworth antique dealer secured the bayonet and four more weekly $1 payments closed the deal. Fifty years later, Simpkins is still collecting and the Simpkins War Museum shares the still-growing assemblage of military artifacts from the Civil War through Desert Storm.

An open house at the museum is planned 1 to 5 p.m. June 28 at 605 E. Cole St. Simpkins plans to recap his hobby by covering "50 years in 30 minutes."

Early interest in history

Simpkins said his sixth and seventh grade history teachers helped spur his interest in history, along with visits to U.S. Grant's home in Galena and the Gettysburg battlefield. A mainly Civil War collection grew to fill up his bedroom, then a spare room in his first apartment. By the time he was drafted into the army in 1966, he began acquiring some items from World Wars I and II. Relics from the Vietnam War accompanied home on his return from service in 1968.

When Simpkins built his first home south of Heyworth in the late 70s, a converted garage housed the "War Relic Museum," his first stab at exhibiting the collection. In 1989, the museum moved to its cur-rent location.

Growing collection

The collection ranges from shoulder patches to uniforms, weapons, propaganda items and helmets from not only American soldiers but those of Japan, Nazi Germany and even Iraq, although Simpkins is quick to point out a helmet is from the Iraqi army and "terrorists will never be represented here."

"I've never had anyone offended by the Nazi relics on display," he noted. "You've got to tell all sides to represent the story of World War II."

German and British war veterans are amongst past visitors to the museum.

No expansion

The museum is open Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. He is working with volunteers from the Heyworth Sons of the American Legion to help staff the museum when he and his wife, Carol, are out of town.

He said he'll never tire of adding to his collection, although his wife has said no to expanding the mu-seum.

"I personally hope when I take my last breath I'll still be trying to acquire that helmet or that medal," said Simpkins.

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GO

What: Open house

Where: Simpkins War Museum, 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth

When: 1-5 p.m. June 28