The historic Jonas Museum located on Main Street is facing significant damage following a Jan. 5 incident when 28-year-old Ricky Ray, of Steelville, is alleged to have forced entry and destroyed multiple antique items. 

According to Mayor Terry Beckham, Ray broke 13 of the museum’s windows. The probable cause statement filed by the Steelville Police Department notes that a piano, china cabinet and dishes were among the “numerous other items” damaged. Officers also observed “significant amounts of blood” throughout the museum.

“A lot of the furniture items there were really hard to put a price tag on,” Beckham said.

Ray was charged with burglary in the second degree, property damage in the first degree and resisting arrest. He was released on a $20,000 bond paid in surety, which was posted by Kenny Nickles. His phone is currently being tracked with GPS. 

Ray’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 in the Crawford County Courthouse.

The museum is insured, but the city is still waiting to hear back from an insurance adjuster, who will evaluate what costs can be covered. Beckham said the process is taking longer than usual due to the number of antique items in the museum.

“There are some irreplaceable items there, but (we) just haven’t quantified them yet,” Beckham said.

The museum was built in the late 1800s. It was the family home of Helen Jonas, who donated it to the city in 2000 for use as a museum. According to local historian Bob Bell, Jonas collected the majority of the antique furniture in it herself over the years. Other items may have been left there from Jonas’ family.

“It was a very nicely set up house,” Bell said. “It’s a tragedy.”

Bell said he’d prefer to see the house be utilized by the city in alternative ways, referencing low attendance when the museum is open in the summer months.

“I felt like it doesn’t really need to be a museum,” Bell said. “The house just needs to stand and be used. I would really rather see it be used as an AirBnB or something that can generate some revenue and some purpose instead of being a museum.”

Beckham noted during the Jan. 20 city council meeting that although the deed places restrictions on the house’s use and requires it to primarily function as a museum, the city is allowed to sell it if proceeds are donated to the foundation.

The Steelville Historical Society is currently in the process of constructing a Steelville History Museum to help preserve more of the local history. The foundations for the building were poured in August and the walls and roof were completed in November.