NORWICH – Alan Estus, formerly a member of the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) board of directors, said while he never expected to be appointed director of the society, the four weeks since he accepted the position have been “a true pleasure and a lot of fun.”

Estus, who also co-chaired the buildings and grounds committee for a time, said his prior experience with the Historical Society was of great benefit in his first month as director.

“I’m familiar with the organization through my previous association with the board, so the learning curve has been short,” said Estus, who was a member of the board for approximately three years. “I’m very familiar with all of the activities and projects that are currently underway.”

Those projects will include an updated, more modern, research library, which will be housed at 43 Rexford St., next door to the CCHS Museum, and the restoration of the 1854 schoolhouse located behind the museum.

The new research library, which will also house the county historian, will make documents “more readily available” to the public, according to Estus, who added that, thanks to a significant donation, the organization’s computer systems have been successfully upgraded.