Heroes of the Vosges Museum

The Treasury Building, adjoining City Hall in Bruyères, has been designated as the permanent site for the museum. The entire first floor of the building will be modified to museum standards including security, lighting, fire safety, wall configuration, etc. A sign, in both French and English, will be installed identifying the building as the “Heroes of the Vosges Museum.” When ready, the artifacts and related materials from the temporary exhibit housed in the Henri Mattieu Musee, will be transferred to the permanent site. Each section of the exhibit will be expanded and we will add, from private collections, artifacts used by the German army.

Anne Bonjean, daughter of a former mayor, will serve as the “President” of a museum management organization. The members of the small oversight group will include local officials and private sector representatives. An architect will soon begin the process of laying out the museum based on requirements and specifications that we have provided.

The cost of all interior changes to the building will be paid for entirely by donations to our 501 (c) (3) Heroes of the Vosges Museum Fund. Our EID Number is 93-3459043. We are again seeking donations and book sales to complete the estimated $125,000 needed to prepare the building. We are about half way there! Anne Bonjean believes that perhaps some additional funding might be available from the “French Administration.”

The ongoing operation of the museum and the associated cost will be negotiated with the Mayor of Bruyères, the Peace and Freedom Trail Association, and the Tourist Bureau for staffing commitments that will guarantee the opening and ongoing operations.