Bounty of thanks

There was something sad when a group of Boy Scouts toured the Tamaqua museum in late December 2012.

Everybody knew it'd be the final tour for a long time, at least for a few years. Things weren't looking good and visitor safety was a major issue.

The old bank building on West Broad Street smelled of mold. Puddles of water made the marble floors slippery, and heavy plaster chunks were falling from ceilings about 28 feet high. It was dangerous for anybody to walk into the building.

But after three years of darkness and a half million dollars in improvements, spotlights are once again shining on the repository that showcases glory days of the Tamaqua area.

Dale Freudenberger, Tamaqua Historical Society president, said the building underwent a total restoration and renovation project during 2015, part of a project in conjunction with the borough, the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, Sen. David Argall, the state, and local contributions from the Tamaqua Historical Society, the Morgan Foundation, J. Keilman Dudley Trust and others, some of whom wish to remain anonymous.

"The Tamaqua Historical Society was pleased to open the first phase of its new Tamaqua Area Historical Museum during Summerfest in the former First National Bank building at 118 W. Broad St.," Freudenberger said.

The museum also introduced regular hours of operation. It must be emphasized that regular hours are contingent upon availability of a small corps of volunteers and also are subject to weather constraints.

"We have to limit hours for the winter," said Freudenberger, due to costs associated with heating the large building.

Hundreds already have visited the site, which, interestingly, is a PokeStop.

"Yes, Pokemon has been spotted in the museum," said member Elizabeth Brill, adding that the exact location is a surprise.

On Nov. 3, residents Dave and Judy Johns expressed their support of the project by donating a coin-operated, 100-year-old player piano, part of Judy's parents' bar, Keller's Hotel. A Cunningham piano made in Philadelphia, it once occupied a prominent place at the main bar.

"They tore out a booth to make room for it," Judy said.

Phase Two

Phase Two of the project is the Museum Annex and Gallery located next door at 114 W. Broad St., also owned by the society.

Those facilities will feature an amusement park exhibit of the 1920 to 1959 era, historical displays, photographs from the society's vast collection, a special Art Gallery Room which will feature works of art by locals, most of which is part of the society's permanent collection. There will also be glass cases filled with displays representing the surrounding townships, villages and towns of eastern Schuylkill County.

The gallery will also be set up with a podium, screen and folding chairs to allow the society to offer the public year-round special programs, speakers, showings of old films and slides and private collections, etc.

Holdings

The museum houses collections of state and national importance, including the work of the late illustrator J.G. Scott, a Tamaqua native, and will serve as the repository for 80,000 images of Tamaqua and the anthracite region as captured over the past 40 years by Scott Herring, known as the Last Anthracite Photographer. Herring, too, is a Tamaqua native.

Financing came from a variety of sources with Mauch Chunk Trust Company providing a bridge loan. Funding sources include: $150,000 from the John E. Morgan Foundation, $100,000 from Society volunteers, and 250,000 in matching funds from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through Argall, funds from J. Keilman Dudley Trust, and other donations, including in-kind contributions from architect Ralph Melone and financial adviser Graysha Harris.

Other partners include the Borough of Tamaqua and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.

Museum volunteers still need to raise $130,000 to meet financial obligations.

"We need members and donations," Freudenberger said. "We'd be very grateful if civic groups and others would put on their 2017 agenda to help."

With the new research library, and extensive photograph collections yet to be archived, plus a need for tour guides, there are opportunities for local residents to become part of the new museum in a wide variety of capacities.

Improvements

The building was last updated in 1960 when ownership transferred from First National Bank to Miners National Bank of Pottsville.

A previous renovation took place about 1950 when an addition was constructed to the rear and the main vault was enlarged.

A climate-controlled research library in the former board of directors room at the building's rear, or south side, a $12,000 project, was unveiled in 2012.

Volunteers spent weeks setting up the space and transferring delicate paper documents, photos and books into the new environs.

Another component was the acquisition and restoration of the building's original stained glass clock, a $15,000 project made possible through the generosity of Tamaqua resident Lois Breiner, who donated it in honor of her parents, Henry and Mary Kase Breiner.

Society members say they're thankful for community support, including enthusiasm for the town's two largest festivals, Tamaqua Summerfest and the Tamaqua Heritage Festival. Both originated with and are sponsored by the group.

"What amazes me is that people come from other countries, such as Egypt and Ethiopia, and are at the festivals," said member Walter Weston.

Another event, Santa Claus Train Rides, is set for Dec. 17.

For more information, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities: 610-597-6722.