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THE HISTORY OF
THE ANTHRACITE
HERITAGE MUSEUM
& IRON FURNACES ASSOCIATES
The Museum's Associates group did not start when the Museum
officially opened its doors to the public. In fact, there
was no official group for several years. As related by
Mrs. Adrienne Horger, whose article on the early history of the
Associates group appeared in the Nov./Dec. 1995 issue of the
Miner's Lamp, volunteer help recruited primarily by
volunteer Betty Ann Diefenbacher, such as the Junior League of
Scranton, aided the museum staff then.
On March 23, 1982, Director David Salay
apparently felt that the volunteer base had expanded
sufficiently to possibly support a "Friends of the
Museum" association, similar to other groups at museums of
the PHMC. On that date, he sent a letter to Ms. Ann Powell
of Scranton outlining his
proposal.
Events quickly followed and regular meetings
began in April, 1982. At the second meeting of this
Associates group, officers were elected, a Board Of Directors
was formed, by-laws were presented, discussed and adopted, and
it was voted to proceed with the Standard Agreement between this
Associates group and the PHMC. The group was officially
incorporated in June 1982, and its non-profit status granted in
December 1982.
The Associates started as the "Scranton
Anthracite Museum Associates". The group was instrumental
in having the Iron Furnaces added to the Museum Complex.
At this point, on April 12, 1984, its name was officially
changed to the "Scranton Anthracite Museum and Iron
Furnaces Associates". Later, in 1987, the name
changed once more to the "Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage
Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates".
From the beginning, the Associates have been
involved with both the Museum and the Iron Furnaces, working
with the Museum staff and directors to help sustain both sites
with volunteers, supporting and enhancing programs, exhibits,
and site improvements.
Communications with the growing Associates
membership has been through the Miner's Lamp newsletter, which
began within a year of the group, its first issue being sent out
for September, 1983. A review of Lamp issues contain
requests for volunteers to help in various Museum functions, and
also contain information on Museum events where Museum directors
have thanked those who did and awarded multi-year service
certificates to members. Each year an Associate is
selected for a Volunteer Of The Year award for exceptional help
to the Museum.
Associates are able to get together at least
twice a year at semi-annual dinners, and also by attending
Associates' bus trips to other museums and tourist areas, many
of which are detailed over the years in the Miner¹s Lamp
issues. Free Museum admission and lectures also help
promote the group, and a discount in the Gift Shop has been
available since the shop started.
Funds accumulated by the Associates group has
been a source of aid to the needs of the Museum. The Associates
is also the group which can and does apply for grants to help
fund special Museum exhibits and programs. In
addition, the group created the Anthracite Press which has
funded completely or partially several books related to the
theme of the Museum.
The Associates were started and lead by
forward-looking, talented people who knew how to draw upon the
local community to advance the goals set up by the Board,
recruit people with the necessary skills and expertise to do it,
and begin the buildup of the Associates base of membership that
is the source of the leadership and volunteer help available to
the Museum today and into the future.
PRINT
AN APPLICATION
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JOINING
THE ANTHRACITE HERITAGE MUSEUM
AND
IRON FURNACES ASSOCIATES
You are invited to become a
member of the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces
Associates.
| As a member of the Associates, you will
be entitled to:
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Free Admission to the Anthracite Heritage Museum
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Free Admission to Eckley Miners’ Village
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Free Admission to the Ashland Museum of Mining
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Subscription to the Associates Newsletter
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10% Discount at the Museum Gift and Book Shop
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Free or Reduced Admission to Special Events
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Invitation to Exhibit Openings |
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:
| Individual |
$
15.00 * |
Patron/Business |
$ 50.00 |
| Family |
$ 25.00 |
Corporate |
$100.00 |
| Benefactor |
$
250.00 |
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* Not Tax
Deductible.
HELP
US SUCCEED --
BECOME A MEMBER
By joining the Associates,
you will be contributing to this effort through the
establishment and continuation of programs and special events
such as exhibits, seminars, lectures, films, children’s
activities and publications.
The Anthracite Heritage
Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates is a registered charitable
organization. In accordance with Pennsylvania law, we are required to
advise you that a copy of our official registration and
financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania,
1-800-732-0999. Registration
does not imply endorsement.
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Directions ~ Iron
Furnaces ~ Group
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Associates
Page ~ Upcoming
Events ~ Anthracite
Heritage Camp
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