Rhoades Announces $20,000 Grant for Anthracite Museum Project

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) today announced a grant award of $20,000 to the Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland for developing an adaptive re-use plan.

The museum closed in September 2005, but Rhoades and the Upper Schuylkill Regional Revitalization director began talks with the Ashland Borough Council, several community organizations and the PA Historic Museum Commission to explore options for it's use. As a result, the Ashland Museum of Anthracite Mining is now a multi use building with museum and borough/community areas and is managed locally by the Borough of Ashland.

"Renovating the museum will provide countless benefits to the community of Ashland and the upper Schuylkill region particularly to enhance tourism opportunity," said Rhoades. "I am happy to have been able to assist in this effort and to secure funding for this important project."

The grant was awarded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, whose main goal is to preserve, enhance and promote Pennsylvania's historical and cultural treasures. The grant is part of the bureau's Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program, which focuses specifically on creating new economic development opportunities and increasing tourism.

"The Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program recognized the museum's potential value to the Borough of Ashland and the upper Schuylkill region as a tourist attraction," said Rhoades. I look forward to the reopening of the museum to educate tourists on the rich history and culture of this region."