“Winnie McLeod, South Whidbey Historical Society president, applauds museum volunteers after the ribbon was cut Saturday to re-open the museum. In back from the left are Emil Lindholdt, Joanne Hannah, Mayor Lloyd Furman, and County Commissioner Mike Shelton.Jim Larsen, staff photoMuseum factsHours: Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.Location: 312 Second Street, Langley.Admission: $2 suggested donation. Children 12 and under and members free.Accessibility: All facilities are barrier-free.Museum store: Offered are postcards, maps and Lorna Cherry’s history books.Information: Send mail to P.O. Box 612, Langley WA 98260, or call 360.221.2101.The South Whidbey Historical Society Museum re-opened Saturday with a ribbon cutting, short speeches, guided tours and sunshine.A crowd of about 75 volunteers and museum supporters crowded around the entrance to the old bunkhouse as the ribbon-cutting was led by Historical Society President Winnie McLeod. Also wielding scissors were Joanne Hannah, Lloyd Furman, Mike Shelton and Kelly Barlean.Then the audience poured inside to catch a glimpse of South Whidbey’s history. Attractive new brochures were distributed which feature some of the main attractions: the kitchen, the schoolroom and the kitchen.In his opening comments, Emil Lindholdt, who led the $200,000 restoration fundraising effort, received the biggest applause when he said, We’re not in debt, and several people shouted out, Yea, Winnie!, referring to Winnie McLeod who oversaw the entire, three-year effort.McLeod was presented a bouquet of flowers by Debbie Holbert, and was almost overcome by the accomplishment. We can’t belive it. We’ve worked so hard, she said. This is going to be South Whidbey’s little gem. She lauded artist Lee Wexler, who designed the interior and played a major role in how the museum looks today. He was teaching classes that day and could not be present.Oldtimers were saddened that the late Lorna Cherry, South Whidbey’s historian, wasn’t around to see the new museum. But it was designed after the themes in her books, and her memory is honored inside.McCleod fretted that the museum wasn’t quite finished, not that anyone without her eye for detail would notice. But it was time to open after three years of hard work. She let it be known that the museum’s effort to collect history will continue. If you have pictures upstairs in the attic we welcome them, she said. Also planned is an endowment to help fund museum operations.Don Brodie created a large South Whidbey map that is displayed inside the museum. Some of you may remember me when I had hair, he laughed. He donated the copyright of the map to the museum, and all royalties from sales of smaller versions of the map. This is a tribute to all the people who have lived before us, he said.The ribbon was cut and the door was finally opened. Now you will know how South Whidbey grew, McLeod said. “