Murray and Holley each chip in to help local museum

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 13 October 2016 at 9:31 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: The Murray-Holley Historical Society operates this museum, a former train depot, on Geddes Street Extension.

Photo by Kristina Gabalski: The Murray-Holley Historical Society operates this museum, a former train depot, on Geddes Street Extension.

HOLLEY – The Murray-Holley Historical Society has received an increase in funding from the Town of Murray under to 2017 tentative budget, which was approved Tuesday evening by the Town Board.

Town Supervisor John Morriss said the budget contains $1,000 for the historical society.

“That’s good for us to know,” said John Kenney Jr., historical society member and former Holley mayor. “It’s definitely needed. Business costs don’t go down, they continually go up.”

Kenney addressed Town Board members regarding the support the historical society receives from the town. He provided the board with financial information from the past 10 years and discussed utility costs for the society’s museum and garage which are located on Geddes Street Extension in the village.

Kenney explained that the village recently provided slightly more than $860 in support to help cover costs.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The museum includes many local artifacts including the church bell from the former United Methodist Church that was in the Public Square. The church closed when the congregation moved to Route 237 in Clarendon.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The museum includes many local artifacts including the church bell from the former United Methodist Church that was in the Public Square. The church closed when the congregation moved to Route 237 in Clarendon.

“Maintenance is a major problem for us,” he said, and explained that he joined the historical society when he was serving as mayor.

“I encourage you to join the historical society,” Kenney told members of the Town Board. “It will enable you to have a good insight about what is going on and what the needs are.”

Kenney also provided details about the historical society’s fundraising efforts. He said a pulled-pork dinner is planned this Saturday at the American Legion in Holley.

“The money raised is used to cover the cost of utilities and maintenance of the buildings,” Kenney said. “The financial burden is too much, a lot comes out of our own pockets.”

He said the Murray/Holley Historical Society participated in the Orleans County Heritage Day held in September and emphasized the historical society is a valuable part of the community.

As an example he discussed a cross-state bicycle trip that stops in Holley. The trip brings people from across the country and the world to Holley and historical society members provide a respite and refreshments for participants.

“I hope it is something we all a take pride in,” he said of the historical society and its museum.

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