Meeting spurs interest in LP Depot Museum

There apparently is interest in keeping the Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum open.

Approximately 40 people attended a meeting Sunday afternoon at the museum to discuss its future. According to Betty Ray Roberts, president of the board of directors, several of those who came are not members of the society.

Roberts said she was encouraged and pleased that the meeting stirred interest in the community.

"I see hope and see a light at the end of the tunnel," she said.

Another meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 at the museum.

Roberts said the meeting later this month has been scheduled to give people time to think seriously about committing time. She noted the board is looking for people to volunteer to work at the museum or accept an office.

The board met in December to discuss the museum. In a letter to members, Roberts said the board talked about dwindling paid memberships, minimal number of volunteers for staffing the museum and a reduction in out-of-town visitors.

The board, which is also concerned about the age and health of some of the directors, also discussed the increased cost of utilities and the need for painting and building maintenance that would create additional financial concerns.

The seven members of the board of directors voted unanimously to recommend to the members at a meeting earlier in January to seek a local not-for-profit organization to assume the operation and management of the museum.

If an acceptable organization can't be found, the museum will be closed and efforts will be made to return museum items to the families of the original donors.