NORWICH – Understanding and sharing the past takes an entire community, says Walter O. Rogers, a member of the Chenango County Historical Society. To reinvigorate public interest in the local story, Rogers and fellow society representatives are moving ahead with plans to expand the society’s museum on Rexford Street in Norwich – giving them room to unearth a collection of area treasures they say many residents have yet to discover.
To kick-off fundraising for the project, Rogers said the non-profit organization will host a dinner Feb. 22 at the American Legion in Norwich. Special guests and local speakers will be on hand to provide anecdotal insights into the county’s past.
“They have artifacts there that are remarkable,” Rogers said, explaining that in recent years there hasn’t been enough room to display it all. “We want to bring the history of Chenango County back to life – we want to bring it to everyone’s attention – that’s why we need the expansion.”
The society’s current plan, in development since 2005, would reportedly add 12,000 square feet of exhibition and educational space off of the north and west ends of the building. In all, they’re expecting renovations and construction to total $3.5 million.
Chenango County pledged its support back in October 2005 with $100,000 spread over a three-year period.
“It’s taken us a long time to get everything going,” said society President Mary Wiedman. “We’ve got a huge collection and the people of the community don’t have a chance to see it. That makes this really exciting.”
The expanded space would house the Norwich Pharmacy Museum collection (currently at the Eaton Center) as well as provide a place to showcase Chenango County’s Civil War flag, records of Mormon religion founder Joseph Smith and historical documents and artifacts from each of the county’s 21 towns. New initiatives also include offering a community display area where other museums, organizations, and individuals can reserve space to show exhibitions and artifacts from different parts of the county.
“This is a county-wide museum. We want people to know that,” Rogers said. “We don’t want to overshadow anyone. Our intention is to be able to coordinate with other museums and the community. We want to be able to do what they can’t.”
The museum will be able to further its role as an education, preservation, conservation and research hub for the county, Rogers said.
“It’s not just a place to come in and stare at things,” he said. “People can come in and learn.”
Museum officials say the late attorney James S. Flanagan was the original inspiration for the building project. The Norwich native was instrumental in the official foundation of the society 69 years ago this month. He died just weeks after the organization gained its charter from the state.
“James S. Flanagan’s positive belief in the endless possibilities we have to understand and share our past with generations yet to come lives on in the work of the Chenango County Historical Society he was so instrumental in founding,” an undated Society proclamation states. “We thank him for our past and will always continue to remember his vision as we tackle the challenges in our future.”