History
This organization began in response to circumstances which have confronted small towns for the past twenty years. The major problems are a decline in the downtown retail areas which has contributed to the neglect and decline of historic structures, along with a decline in economic base. Concurrently, we see a revival in our society of interest in going back to basic values, and an increasing amount of leisure time in a generally prosperous society and a peaceful world. There has been a corresponding explosion in tourism in general, and historic preservation and museums are seen as viable economic opportunities.