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A Brief History of the Allegany Museum

Western Maryland Station Center, Inc. (WMSC), a volunteer, not-for-profit community group, was formed in 1983 to preserve and renovate the Western Maryland Railroad Station.

In 1985, the Transportation and Industrial Museum opened in the basement of the Western Maryland Railroad Station.

In 1997, WMSC turned over the Western Maryland Railroad Station to the Canal Place Authority with the intention of it becoming the focal point of the Canal Place Heritage Tourism Complex. Canal Place construction began in 1999.

Once the Railroad Station transfer was completed, WMSC assumed the new mission of developing the Allegany County Museum.

WMSC, in 1999, purchased the William Donald Schaefer Building at 3 Pershing Street.

The Allegany County Museum opened at a temporary site at 210 S. Mechanic Street in 2001. Then, in 2003, the Allegany County Museum moved to another temporary site at 81 Baltimore Street, where it is currently housed.

In 2007, WMSC paid off the primary mortgage on the Schaefer building.

In late 2007, WMSC contracted with Cho Ben Holback Associates of Baltimore for architectural planning services.

In early 2008, bills were introduced in the Maryland State legislature calling for partial funding for the planning phase of the restoration of the Schaefer Building for its use as the new Allegany County Museum. WMSC was awarded a grant of $50,000 from the State.

In September 2008, the WMSC board decided to change the name of the museum to Allegany Museum.

In early 2009, bills were introduced in the Maryland State legislature calling for partial funding for restoration of the second floor of the Schaefer Building. WMSC was awared a grant of $225,000 from the State.

~oOo~

Western Maryland Station Center Board Members:

Gary Bartik, President

Joseph Weaver, Vice President

Jerry Robinette, Secretary

Mike Fetchero, Treasurer

George Sell, Communications

Dottie Thomas

Wayne Couter

Bernice Friedland

Brian Grim

Russell Livengood, Jr.

Victor Rezendes

Julianne Ferris

Webmaster: George Sell   -  © Allegany Museum 2007-2009. All rights reserved.