To The Editor

Move The

Museum?

Dear Editor:

Given the number of letters (or lack thereof) regarding moving or not moving the Little Museum, I can only conclude that the apathy on the issue is exceeded perhaps only by interest in visiting the museum at its Sterling Run Location.

As Mike Wennin noted in his verbose (Webster Dictionary- "characterized by too many words") response, "at its present location it is out of sight and out of mind" (of vandals or thieves), and everyone else for that matter.

It amazes me that about four years ago the same board of directors of the Historical Society was actively exploring the acquisition of the old library for their museum. Why was that move any more appropriate than the one recently proposed? Possibly because it wasn't "someone's" personal idea?

How about the society's interest in the Northern Tier Building? There are numerous Historical Society board members who lust after this historical structure. Talk about cost; the Sterling Run building could be moved five times for what it would cost to refurbish this mausoleum.

Even if $2 million to $3 million were available (maybe we could get the money Rendell is spending on the "Dam" building), it would still be a multistory building requiring elevators, etc., to provide any type of handicapped accessibility.

The bottom line is: "the move was a good idea," showed some foresight, and was definitely doable. It wasn't going to be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is, but as Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Regrettably, in our very beautiful county, we have more than "narrow" valleys.

Commenting on the letter from "Punxsutawney Diane," she is probably correct - in 100 years the P/M industry will undoubtedly be replaced by new technology, but I wonder: had it not been here, would the town still be in existence? I suspect the traffic visiting the Sterling Run Little Museum would have kept us going, or maybe Punxy Diane would be good enough to lend us "Punxsutawney Phil" to keep us going for the next 100 years.

Good luck to Max Narby - maybe we might just get a museum where it belongs that will eventually help our town/ county swing into the 22nd century. Forward thinking takes courage.

I am a Rotarian and generally try to live by and be guided by the four-way test. I broke one in this memo, but living by three out of four ain't bad.

I really expected a "thank you" note from the Historical Society, having just given them more publicity than they have enjoyed in their 85-year history.

Ken Gerg,

Emporium

Museum Should

Stay Put

Dear Editor:

When you drive down county, you come to Sterling Run where you see a unique and pretty building. It is the County Museum. It houses historical items of the county and the people. It has about 25,000 items on display.

The museum has a bell with the date 1883 on it. It was donated to the Sterling Run Catholic Church in 1931. The museum building was the school for Lumber Township. It and the bell were a gracious and generous gift to the historical society.

The museum is about in the middle of the county. If the museum moves, the land and the building will be reclaimed by the township.

For over 75 years, volunteers have maintained and worked for the museum. They have given much time and energy to the operation of the museum. Those who have been directors of the Cameron County Historical Society have worked many, many hours to create what we have known. They had to organize, recruit volunteers, plan and manage the museum's activities. They have done an excellent job.

Over the years, I have helped by being there when it was open and dusting some of the items, but I did very little when I compare my work to the work of the directors. Creating the McNarney room had the director work many hours. The room is spacious and has items of great interest. General McNarney was born and raised in the county.

The coke oven was also a tremendous undertaking and required much work.

The directors, including Michael S. Wennin, deserve accolades, praise and thanks for their knowledgeable efforts.

The museum is suitably placed, as it is a county museum, not an Emporium museum. The people can be proud, pleased and gratified with their museum.

Mary Donovan

Emporium

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