A WORK IN PROGRESS
Cameron County History Center due open in a few years

Cameron County Historical Society board member Mike Wennin looks over the renovations of the future site of the Cameron County History Center on Greenwood Street in Emporium. Photo by Alex Davis

Although renovations to the future site of Cameron County's "first class" research and history library are nearing completion, the building won't be available for public access for a few years.

The Cameron County Historical Society board of directors is sorting through options to purchase furniture and electronic equipment for the former Wenzel Appliance Store on Greenwood Street in Emporium.

Historical society board member Mike Wennin pointed out before the "Cameron County History Center" opens, records, newspapers and files need to be categorized. He said the society is looking into hiring someone full time to do the job.

The center would cater to people searching for books, census records, newspapers and other records.

Major upgrades have been made to the center during the last two years, including installing dry wall and floor tile to the first story of the building.

A restroom has also been built but no fixtures have been installed yet. A heat and air conditioning unit has also been hooked up.

The building will also be used by the Cameron County Genealogy Club, which is unaffiliated with the Historical Society, for its monthly meetings.

"The Genealogy Club is very anxious for the opening of the history center, though we realize it will be a few years until it opens," said Cameron County Genealogy Club leader Wendy Davis.

The organizations' efforts to preserve local history have not gone unnoticed.

Last month, the Historical Society was notified that it'll receive a bookcase, consisting of a set of books, online resources and a user's guide, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

A high-tech microfilm printer, reader and scanner will be purchased with a $5,000 state grant from State Assemblyman Martin Causer.

This piece of equipment would help those wishing to copy old newspaper articles, genealogical records and other archives, to electronically transfer of the images via email.

Emporium Foundation has also donated money.

Once the center's completed, the Society has targeted one room for family records, microfilm readers and desktop computers. Another would include storage and a kitchen. Artifacts would be stored upstairs.

The Historical Society purchased the building about three years ago.