Two Rivers, Wis. - Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum announces its intention to buy the former Formrite Tube Co. building. The facility is located at the entrance to the Business District overlooking Lake Michigan at 1816 10 St. in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. 

Property owner, Dave Wage, signed a purchase agreement on Jan. 9, 2013 to sell the 83,000-square-foot 1950s-era, industrial building and real estate for $400,000, contingent upon city approvals. Feb. 9, Two Rivers’ Plan Commission members, City Council representatives other city officials toured the vacant Formrite factory building.

Established and managed by the Two Rivers Historical Society, Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum learned in late 2012 that it must vacate its current location at 1619 Jefferson St. by March 31, 2013. Since then, individuals, companies, clubs and associations have donated more than $200,000 toward moving costs. In addition, an anonymous donor has committed a matching grant of $150,000 toward the building’s purchase.

“We feel extremely positive about the next steps in the process,” says Jim Moran, the museum’s director. “Like us, Dave Wage is committed to keeping the museum in Two Rivers. His civic pride is well respected throughout the community. Dave was born here and Hamilton’s history here extends back to 1880.”

“I’m proud to play a part in preserving the museum’s rare, vast collection in Two Rivers, and to support its volunteers and staff who continue to bring the type, tools and presses to life,” says Wage.

“Owning a building of our own will provide a more secure future for the museum where we can better protect, maintain, organize and demonstrate this enormous and valuable collection,” explains Moran.

Two Rivers Historical Society’s board president, Jim Van Lanen, Sr., adds, “Hamilton not only will continue to serve as a historic icon in our community, it will remain a living legacy that we share with visitors from all across the globe.”

Contributions of time and money to support the museum’s move may be made online at http://www.woodtype.org/support.