Over the past several months, the Museum of Fife and Drum has undergone a series of thoughtful renovations aimed at improving safety, function, and the overall visitor experience — while staying true to the museum’s heritage. With the majority of the work now complete, we’re proud to share some of the key upgrades that will benefit the community for years to come.
Thoughtful Entryway and Bathroom and Improvements
One of the first major changes involved the entryway, where accessibility and safety were improved by replacing the original handrail, which—while functional—was not ideally suited to the slope of the ramp. Because it remained at a fixed height, it became increasingly elevated as visitors descended, and it didn’t extend fully from the entrance to the basement floor. The new handrail addresses these issues with a continuous, properly-graded design and features a custom drum-inspired motif that connects beautifully with the museum’s musical heritage.
The original handrail served its purpose but lacked full ramp coverage and visual alignment with the Museum’s identity. This was the starting point for a thoughtful redesign.
The newly redesigned entry ramp features a continuous handrail for safer access—and leads visitors straight into the heart of the Museum.
With a nod to rudimental tradition, the custom drum-inspired railing enhances both the safety and spirit of the space.
The handcrafted design—complete with rope and tension rod elements—brings the Museum's musical heritage into every corner of the entryway.
Thoughtful lighting, natural wood, and period-appropriate materials bring warmth and cohesion to the renovated space.
The original handrail served its purpose but lacked full ramp coverage and visual alignment with the Museum’s identity. This was the starting point for a thoughtful redesign.
The newly redesigned entry ramp features a continuous handrail for safer access—and leads visitors straight into the heart of the Museum.
With a nod to rudimental tradition, the custom drum-inspired railing enhances both the safety and spirit of the space.
The handcrafted design—complete with rope and tension rod elements—brings the Museum's musical heritage into every corner of the entryway.
Thoughtful lighting, natural wood, and period-appropriate materials bring warmth and cohesion to the renovated space.
As a part of this change, the downstairs bathrooms were reconfigured and updated. The entrance was moved to the ramp side of the room, improving accessibility, and a gravity-draining system was chosen over a pump-out toilet to ensure a more maintenance-free experience. Though this required a small sacrifice in ceiling height, it was a smart tradeoff for long-term reliability.
The renovated bathroom features a gravity-draining toilet system and ADA-compliant fixtures—all packed into a tidy, efficient layout that balances modern function with space constraints.
The renovated bathroom features a gravity-draining toilet system and ADA-compliant fixtures—all packed into a tidy, efficient layout that balances modern function with space constraints.
A Complete Kitchen and Bar Transformation
The kitchen and bar areas were completely overhauled — not only to modernize the space, but also to make it far more functional for events and daily use.
Highlights include:
- New cabinets and countertops that run the full length of the wall, offering ample prep space and clean storage.
- A powerful 48” commercial range vent piped to the exterior to greatly improve air quality during cooking.
- Reliable plumbing and electrical updates, including a sink pump and a new junction box to support future work in the Sturtze Room.
- Durable new LVP flooring, which is both easy to clean and a major visual upgrade.
Clean, bright, and efficient—new cabinetry, durable counters, and thoughtful layout upgrades make this kitchen ready for any event.
With low ceilings and close quarters, a new commercial vent hood over the dual stove setup keeps the air clear and the cooks cool.
The full kitchen upgrade includes plank flooring, new plumbing, and improved flow from prep to storage—delivering long-term value with minimal upkeep.
Clean, bright, and efficient—new cabinetry, durable counters, and thoughtful layout upgrades make this kitchen ready for any event.
With low ceilings and close quarters, a new commercial vent hood over the dual stove setup keeps the air clear and the cooks cool.
The full kitchen upgrade includes plank flooring, new plumbing, and improved flow from prep to storage—delivering long-term value with minimal upkeep.
The wall behind the bar was rebuilt and finished with nickel gap pine, and a stepped-down ceiling was removed to reinstall the engraved mirror that had previously not fit. A large whiteboard was replaced with a custom-made chalkboard featuring a fife theme—blending utility with character.
The redesigned bar features a natural wood finish, a restored mirror with engraved Company of Fifers & Drummers logo, and a new fife-themed chalkboard for announcements—offering both form and function.
The chalkboard replaces a once-overbearing whiteboard and adds a handmade touch that keeps guests informed while celebrating the museum’s musical legacy.
Even the coat rack got a period-appropriate upgrade—this custom-built piece brings balance to the entry with a nod to the museum’s traditional character.
- bar4
- bar5
The redesigned bar features a natural wood finish, a restored mirror with engraved Company of Fifers & Drummers logo, and a new fife-themed chalkboard for announcements—offering both form and function.
The chalkboard replaces a once-overbearing whiteboard and adds a handmade touch that keeps guests informed while celebrating the museum’s musical legacy.
Even the coat rack got a period-appropriate upgrade—this custom-built piece brings balance to the entry with a nod to the museum’s traditional character.
Small Touches That Reflect Big Pride
From the drum-themed handrail to the matching fife-inspired coat hanger in the entrance, every change has been made with an eye toward balancing function with the unique identity of the museum. These may seem like small details, but they’re what turn a space into a place that feels both cared for and meaningful.
Looking Ahead — and Looking Back with Thanks
While these renovations addressed structural concerns and decades of wear, they also opened up possibilities. By clearing out clutter and correcting years of corner-cutting, the museum now has a cleaner, safer, and more flexible foundation for future programming and events.
We extend our deepest thanks to Aaron Beard of Beard Building Co. for his vision, craftsmanship, and leadership in managing the renovation project. Aaron’s attention to both detail and design brought a true sense of pride to every improvement made—and ensured that each update honored the building’s historical character while setting it up for long-term success.
We look forward to welcoming you into the newly refreshed space!
