The two-year renovation process complete at the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center with an official opening Friday.
Assistant Archivist Lori Bowers said the water leaks, mold, and extensive damage to the old building made it difficult to protect the archived documents. Bowers said she hopes the new archive center lives up to the motto of preserving the past for future generations.
“We are striving to become a prime destination for family heritage research, or regional historical research,” Bowers said. “So, you know, it’s more than just the government documents or doing the basic’ ‘Who is my great grandparents.’ It connects with the community.”
The new center is highlighted by a climate controlled vault on the second floor, which Bowers said could withstand an EF-2 tornado. It will also have new furniture, offices, and work rooms.
The vault contains primarily governmental documents, which are available upon request. Bowers said the public has access to everything in the archives, including new collections that are being brought in.
Bowers said there are also sling stacks, which can be moved back and forth, along with a new digitization room. Bowers said the building was constructed with the future in mind, It has space for up to 50 years worth of expansions.
While the building was under construction, Bowers said the archives were crammed into a small office in the Art Center Library. Bowers said the archivists continued to help people with genealogical research after the move.
“It was a challenge whenever we had a request for a governmental document,” Bowers said. “Everything was under tarps in storage, so we would have to go and dig through it. We remained open to the public, but it was more difficult to get to our resources.”
Bowers said the archives serve as the official repository for the city and county. It includes birth certificates, marriage licences, school records, and tax information. Bowers said the archives’ private section contains the Cumberland County Playhouse collection, maps, photos, and obituaries.
Bowers said benefactors have donated hundreds of new books to the reading room.
Bowers said the archives will celebrate with a grand re-opening ceremony. Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster and representatives from the state archives will be on hand for the event.
“Also, we will be sealing a 50 year time capsule, and we have asked local officials and organizations to submit letters and materials, and we will be sealing it at the grand re-opening,” Bowers said.
The Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be Friday at 2pm. Tours of the new facility will be offered.
