Lumber Museum targets

Improvements and expansion could be in the cards for the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in central Potter County, but it will be a while before the $3 million project can begin.

Officials recently learned that the state legislature has appropriated $3 million for capital expenditures.

Stakeholders are being asked to provide input on potential expansion and improvement projects. A plan must be adopted before the funds will be released.

The museum, located along Rt. 6 between Coudersport and Galeton, tells the story of the rollicking "lumber era" in northcentral Pennsylvania, from the 1880s to 1910. Nearly every hillside in the region was denuded as woodsmen flocked to Potter, Cameron, McKean and surrounding counties.

Boom towns sprung up and the population swelled to historic highs.

Among proposals for improving the 35-year-old museum are expanded display galleries with interactive exhibits and a larger auditorium.

Business operators and government leaders met at the museum this week for the first of three sessions to discuss options for the expansion plan.