Former Troy Tribune building proposed for use as museum site

Two years after his death, a bowtie and glasses still bring to mind a man who left his mark on southern Illinois.

Troy, Ill., a city 20 miles east of St. Louis, is currently planning to open a museum that would make sure the legacy of late Sen. Paul Simon will never be forgotten.

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In 1948, Simon started the Troy Tribune and became the youngest publisher in the nation at age 19. From there, Simon went on to make large contributions to the city of Troy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the region throughout his career.

Simon’s impact on southern Illinois can be seen through the SIUC Public Policy Institute, which Simon founded in 1997 and directed until his death, as well as the Times Tribune, which is the living descendant of the Troy Tibune.

Darrell Hampsten, alderman for the city of Troy, says the city council and the Troy Historical Society want to build or renovate a building that will house memorabilia from the life and career of Simon and serve as a tribute to his contributions to Troy.

“I came up with the idea last summer,” Hampsten said. “I decided there should be something here after he died.”

Mae Grapperhaus, editor for the Times Tribune, said the newspaper is the new version of the Troy Tribune where Simon got his start more than 50 years ago. She says the Times Tribune is also working with the Troy City Council to get the project off the ground.

“We have already done some releases on it.” Grapperhaus said. “The city has really taken initiative to get this started.”

The city council plans to fund this project through the use of tourism funds and donations. Hampsten said they are not yet sure where the museum would be, but they would ideally like to use the old building where Simon originally started the paper.

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Grapperhaus said while the old Troy Tribune building would be the best place to house the museum, they aren’t sure if that will be possible. The plans for the museum are in preliminary stages and details are still vague. Grapperhaus said if they are not able to use that building, there are other places in Troy that would be appropriate.

“There are a lot of places that he touched here in town,” Grapperhaus said. “He was a friend of Troy’s.”

Simon’s daughter, Sheila Simon, assistant professor at the SIUC School of Law and a member of the Carbondale City Council, said he thinks it would be great to see this project go through. She said she has several memories of being at the old Troy Tribune with her father and would be willing to help with the project.

“It sound’s like a great deal of fun,” Simon said. “I’ll be happy to help them in whatever way I can.”

Simon said she hopes the project will allow the old Troy Tribune building to be used. She said her father would have liked to see the building honored in that way.

“The idea to put it in the old Troy Tribune office is just wonderful,” Simon said. “I think he would be glad to see it there and I think he would also say, ‘Hey don’t make that big of a deal out of it.”

Mike Lawrence, director of the SIUC Public Policy Institute, was a longtime friend of Paul Simon. He reflected Sheila Simon’s remarks that Paul Simon was a humble man, but he thinks Simon would consider it an honor to be remembered in this way.

“I think Paul would appreciate having this done for him,” Lawrence said. “He is someone who never forgot his roots. There is no question Troy played a big role in his development.”

The plan to have a Paul Simon museum in Troy may not have a real start yet, but it does have several individuals who are working to start the ball rolling. Grapperhaus said several people have attended city council meetings regarding the museum and expressed their support for the project.

“He spent most of his life here,” Grapperhaus said. “We feel he deserves something.”

Reporter William Ford can be reached at [email protected]