W. Indiana museum's totem pole getting overdue face-lift

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - A totem pole that's overlooked a western Indiana museum's entryway for decades is getting a long overdue face-lift.

A crane recently removed the Thunderbird totem pole, called Tootooch, from its longtime perch in front of the Vigo County Historical Society and Museum in Terre Haute for the project that will include repainting its seven original colors.

The Tribune-Star reports that once the restoration is complete, the pole will be moved to the new Vigo County Historical Museum.

The pole was carved in the 1930s from a California-grown pine tree at the request of Mrs. Chapman J. Root and moved on a railcar to her family's Vigo County estate.

It remained there until 1963, when it was moved to the historical society's property as a gift from the Root family.

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Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com