Historical Society to open museum in 2010

The Alleghany Historical and Genealogical Society is working toward opening a museum in Sparta by this summer. The location being considered is the former manse, or parsonage, of the Sparta Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

Historical Society Vice President Jeff Halsey said the society is trying to work out the details of using the parsonage temporarily "until we have a permanent museum location."

He added, "We'd like to see the first version of the Alleghany Historical Museum open for visitors by early summer."

The unused parsonage appears to be a good location, said Halsey, who was the society's president until Feb. 28. At that time, Roy K. Hunt was elected president of the society and Halsey became vice president. As for the parsonage, there are some issues with access for disabled people in the two-story structure. "We're currently trying to find out how much it might cost to make the first-floor restroom handicapped accessible," stated Halsey.

While estimates have been sought, those numbers were not available late last week, he said. "We're still waiting on official estimates from the contractor," he clarified. Halsey commented that the group received "a boost" from an unexpected source when the Sparta Teapot Museum of Craft and Design closed down earlier this year.

"Before we found out that the teapot museum would be closing, we had asked them to loan us a 20" by 20" pedestal to display the sesquicentennial fiddle," said Halsey. "They responded by giving it to us."