COALPORT – For anyone visiting the Coalport Area Coal Museum, it’s no secret it’s open the same hours/days as the Glendale Area Public Library not only because they share the same building, but also the same library staff.
For a variety of reasons, the library has regrettably been closed since Christmas week 2017, which, of course, kept the museum temporarily closed as well.
That temporary tag may become permanent unless the entities can acquire at least four to six sincere volunteers who realize the importance of having the civic enrichment that a museum and public library brings to a community.
This lack of staff was the main topic on the agenda of the Coalport Museum Commission meeting Jan. 23. Because no matter what new display item or research information is placed at the museum, it does no good if the building is closed.
Anyone seriously interested in ‘stepping up’ to help keep the library and museum open should please call GAPLI President Cheryl Adam at 814-672-3057 or by e-mail at budsmom.ca@gmail.com.
Curator Richard W. Snyder II showed the group the notebook binder with hundreds of alphabetized death certificates from those interred at St. Basil’s Catholic Cemetery.
He informed them of three e-mails received from individuals with questions about the historic area, passed out four handouts on genealogy research and delineated the following items that was received since the last meeting.
A wealth of memorabilia from the Reade Township High School was donated by former RTHS Alumni secretary Molly Mulhollen; several old RTHS yearbooks (1923-1930), diplomas and pennants; and even a 1921 class ring is being mailed this week from Jane Learn Fundyga (class of 1961).
Kevin O’Shell from Sharons Spring, NY, mailed mining caps, carbide lamps, picks and mining certificates. Also received was a 1916 Department of Mines manual on preventing diseases from Larry Radcliffe.
The board expressed sympathy to the family of long-time museum board member, Paul W. Winslow, who passed away on Jan. 11. A book, “Ghost Towns and Vanishing Villages of Clearfield County,” will be purchased for the museum in memory of Winslow.
The next meeting of the Coalport Museum Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at the Coalport Community Building on Forest Street. All those interested in the local history, heritage and early days of coal mining are invited to attend.