The historic Harbour House Museum in the heart of Crystal Falls is facing a critical time of its 30-plus years since its establishment.

In the past, the whole community of enlightened, caring people came together and saw the need for a city museum and had the foresight to establish one.

With the help of the First National Bank of Crystal Falls and the generosity of Howard Koob, the Harbour House was purchased to house a city and area museum.

The ownership of the building was turned over to the City of Crystal Falls in trust with the encouragement and foresight of the then-mayor and city council to house the artifacts and the history of the Crystal Falls area and even gave money yearly to support it.

Now, the current mayor and city council see it as a liability instead of an asset and want to dispose of its ownership and trust.

The current mayor has interceded and talked to the school. There is one room available to house what is in the 12 large rooms, attic and basement of the historic Harbour House building. There are rumors it could be used and sold to become a bed and breakfast.

The museum is going to need a new roof and new topside railings around its unique steamboat-style porches. The lower porch, deck and railings have been replaced again through the effort of many people, organizations, grants and donations.

If the museum is to continue, we need the renewed help of the community. Volunteers are needed for the board, committees of finance, fundraising, grants, building repairs and other interests such as tour guides, archives and displays.

Now is the time to save the museum for future generations, to keep and preserve and remember and honor the past and history of Crystal Falls and its people, businesses, schools, students, hospitals and doctors, sports, organizations, churches and events.

The City of Crystal Falls has been generous in letting the Crystal Falls Museum Society use a room in the basement for its archive room, which has been a tremendous help in cataloguing and collecting the Crystal Falls information, newspapers, artifacts and history.

For donations, help, questions and volunteering, call 907-875-6219 or go online to https://www.crystalfallsmuseum-harbourhouse.org/ or the Harbour House Facebook page.