Special People & Hidden Gems: The Enos Family Museum in Sugar Grove, PA.
- Lisa Card
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 19
It's no secret that Warren County has several picturesque views throughout. It is not common knowledge that Warren County has many hidden treasures not seen by passersby's in many areas of our County. We often speak about many of our special community minded people and I recently had the pleasure of sitting down for a visit with a very special couple that has brought smiles to many people of all ages with not only their rare collection, but their kindness as well.
Chances are, if you live in Sugar Grove you know Diane and Louis Enos. They once owned Enos Milling but have since retired and passed it on to the next generation. Locals are aware of the amazing private museum that the Enos's own and have graciously shared access with the public over the years. Many small children have stopped by and enjoyed either the big merry-go-round located in the Enos Museum or the smaller sized one. Children aren't the only ones that have been in awe of the Enos museum! A visit will feature everything from antique cars, antique circus posters, antique circus memorabilia, 80's era arcade games, a vintage mechanical horse, an 80's Cabbage Patch Doll, Civil War memorabilia, and so much more!
Walking into the Enos Museum is not only nostalgic, it's educational as well! Diane and Louis have spent many years building their amazing collection. In our conversation they shared a love of history and also their genealogy. They both met while attending local Eisenhower High School and have been married for 60 years. Diane shared that she is a direct descendent of Oliver Wolcott, one of America's founding fathers and a signer of the Declaration of Independence! Louis shared that his great great grandfather, John P. Enos along with his brothers were all killed in the Civil War. There is a memorial for John located in Russell. Their love of their country is evident.
Diane and Louis spoke of one of their most prized possessions, their merry-go-round's. I learned some interesting history concerning both. The large merry-go-round was built in 1930 and was used in the Barnum and Bailey traveling circus. A gentleman by the name of Dan Cornish was a clown for the circus and when he retired, he brought the merry-go-round with him to Bear Lake! Dan used to allow the local children to ride the merry-go-round for 10 cents. The merry-go-round was originally built in North Tonawanda, New York. It has 20 horses and 2 benches. For 40 years, Diane attempted to purchase it to no avail. Eventually, Dan Cornish's nephew, Harold Cornish, inherited the merry-go-round and agreed to sell it to the Enos's. By this time it was in need of much work but Louis and Diane were up to the task!
The Eno's also have a smaller merry go round that was hand made by Wes Augenstein of Youngsville. Wes always told his mother that someday he would have his very own merry-go- round, so he made one himself! Wes was instrumental in helping restore the larger merry-go- round obtained by the Enos's. The photo above features a hand carved horse that Wes carved for his blind mother so that she could enjoy the horse as well. She would sit in her chair and feel the texture of the wooden horse. The small merry go round was at one time on display during Christmas season at the Warren Public Library. Each piece in the museum has a story. A few of the pieces that caught my eye aside from the merry go rounds were the 300 pound lion and a beautiful colored glass window with a rose that was found in an antique store in Lockport.
Diane and Louis's Cars were eye catching as well. Included were a 1928 Studebaker, a 1930 Ford Coupe, a 1980 Harry Shae limited reproduction, and a 1928 Ford Sedan.
Diane graciously showed me this mechanical horse that was very nostalgic for me. I fondly remember riding one as a child in downtown Warren at the former G.C. Murphy Company.
I also loved the more sentimental items in the museum such as two identical sweaters that were knitted for Louis and Diane in 1962 by Diane's sister that hang on the large merry-go-round and are in pristine condition after all of these years.
It's hard to choose what I admired the most at the museum, but Diane's wedding dress for a marriage that has upheld 60 plus years is definitely at the top of my list!
While I admire the museum greatly, I must say that I admire Diane and Louis even more. It was a great privilege to sit down and visit with them and the more that I learned about the Enos's, the more I learned what humble people they truly are. They have opened their doors to the community that they love and have given back much in their many years of living in Sugar Grove. Diane and Louis are held in high regard by their community and have set a great example of giving back. They open their museum up to small groups for trips such as the scouts and are proud to tell the history of the many items on display. If you are interested in visiting the Enos's museum, they just might open the doors for you too by appointment. Feel free to reach out to me by email at lcard@wcvb.net if you are interested in visiting the Enos's museum. I would like to thank Diane and Louis for graciously welcoming me to their museum and for all that they have given back to their community! It isn't just the beautiful scenery that makes Warren County a special place, it's people like the Eno's with their kindness and hospitality.
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