The Historical Society

Today's Journal...

Middletown Historical Society to convert donated building into museum

MIDDLETOWN —
The Middletown Historical Society could be showcasing exhibits in its newly-acquired building at the corner of North Broad Street and Donham Plaza by mid-year.

The Middletown Community Foundation donated a building it owned at 23 N. Broad St. — a $149,160 value — to the historical society last month. The historical society plans to convert that building into a museum and possibly rent its multi-purpose room, according to Jeffery Diver, president of the organization

The historical society adds the North Broad Street building to its cache properties, which includes the Pickwick Building at 56 S. Main St. and the Canal Museum at 1605 N. Verity Parkway. Diver said they will begin moving into the new building during the first quarter of the year, and have exhibits available by mid-year

OK, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ALREADY HAS THE CANAL MUSEUM AND THE PICKWICK BUILDING. NOW, ANOTHER ADDITION? IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CANAL MUSEUM HAS VERY LIMITED HOURS OF OPERATION. HOW ABOUT THE PICKWICK BUILDING? HOW OFTEN ARE THEY OPEN? IS THERE A NEED FOR MORE ROOM WITH THIS ADDITION OR ARE THEY JUST TRYING TO FIND A USE FOR THE FORMER WOMAN'S CENTER? WILL THIS MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE ACTIVITY THAT IS CURRENTLY KEEPING THE PAC MULTI-PURPOSE ROOMS IN USE?

AND MY OLD BUDDY PATRICK KAY CHIMES IN HERE......

Middletown is experiencing a resurgence in redevelopment of downtown properties, and the North Broad Street building is the latest one to be repurposed.

“It just strengthens the downtown,” said Patrick Kay, director of Downtown Middletown Inc. “That creates more foot traffic, and it’s another destination for downtown.”

RIGHT ON PATRICK! HELL, WITH THIS ADDITION, THEY'LL BE FLOCKING TO THE DOWNTOWN, PUSHING PEOPLE OFF THE SIDEWALK TO GET TO THESE DESTINATIONS. AS USUAL, MORE EMBELLISHMENT FROM THE KAY-MAN.