Mon City shows off its history
MONONGAHELA – The Monongahela Area Historical Museum is a treasure chest of information for history buffs, former residents looking for memories and new residents wanting to learn about their new home.
The museum houses documents, photos and historical items, some more than 200 years old.
The museum was born with $500 for a weeklong homecoming celebration in 1983. It was such a success that plans were made to have a permanent museum, but costs to maintain it are about $10,000 annually.
The theme of the third annual Stroll, Shop and Sip on May 7 is “Keep the Museum Open.” The fundraiser incorporates 31 local businesses in New Eagle and Monongahela.
Participants meet at the museum at 230 W. Main St., where they will receive a map and list of participating businesses. Each business will provide something to eat or drink or have a free giveaway. After strolling through the participating businesses, ticket-holders will end at the Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, where there will be food vendors, a Chinese auction and 20 donated gift baskets to be given away.
Carol Frye, treasurer of the Monongahela Area Historical Society, said the event is one of two main fundraisers for the historical society, which hopes to raise at least $2,500 for the museum.
Frye said the museum is important to more than just history buffs.
“We have former residents that will call us and ask us to look something up or to be open when they visit. New residents stop in to learn about the town and community,” she said.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday and by request.
“Our mission is to preserve the past for the future. Our town offers a safe and affordable living with a good schools. We have many things to offer in our town that other towns don’t have,” Frye said. “We have the aquatorium and a vibrant downtown area. This event will showcase some of these things.”
Frye added that the historical society is in the process of archiving documents online and encourages new members to help man the museum or lend a hand with the archiving.
Monongahela Area Historical Society President Susan Bowers said that the event is a fun way to experience a eclectic array of shops in the quaint town. She said she hopes people from outside town come to event and find out what makes Monongahela such a great little city.
Tickets for the event are $5 and can be purchased at the museum or online at www.monongahelahistoricalsociety.com.