Published: December 13, 2008 11:31 pm      

Museum seeking money for fixes

WINDBER — Borough officials will meet early next year with representatives of the Windber Area Museum to find ways to keep the museum open.

As the museum searches for money for repairs, the borough said it is ready to help.

“It’s going to stay open,” Councilman Simon “Red” Ohler said. “We’re not going to let it fall one way or another.”

Museum officials circulated a quarterly newsletter stating the building would close by January because it lacked community support and money. Since that time, they have indicated it would continue to operate while stressing the need to find funding for repairs.

Among the required repairs are replacement of weather stripping and windows, added insulation in the attic, and stopping leaks in the basement.

The two-story museum, located at 601 15th St. near the municipal building, is the former David Shaffer homestead built around 1869.

The museum opened in 1972.

Because the borough owns the museum building, it is responsible for upkeep.

The borough’s 2009 budget includes $1,000 for the museum.

The museum has been self-sustaining, but now needs more volunteers and funding, museum officials have said.

Borough Manager Casey Durdines said workers will cut the grass, saving the museum some money. It won’t be until the two sides meet before they know what else can be done to keep it functioning.

“We want to see it keep operating,” Durdines said. “We’ll do what we can to help them. It all comes down to money.”