Tamaqua Historical Society volunteers and others are hoping a two-year, million-dollar overhaul of the 1905 Miner's National Bank Building will pay dividends for the goals of the eastern Schuylkill County repository.

On Dec. 18, project participants gathered at 124 W. Broad St. to cut a ribbon in honor of the final stage of a massive undertaking to save the threatened structure.The building will house the all-new "Museum of the Tamaqua Area," owned and managed by volunteers of the Tamaqua Historical Society.Dale Freudenberger, society president, said upgrades were vital to preserve the building.Financing came from a variety of sources with Mauch Chunk Trust Company providing a bridge loan. Funding sources include: $150,000 from the John E. Morgan Foundation, $100,000 from society volunteers, and $250,000 in matching funds from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through Sen. David Argall, funds from J. Keilman Dudley Trust, and other donations, including in-kind contributions from architect Ralph Melone and financial adviser Graysha Harris.The final stage is expected to conclude in May when workers set up displays and open the museum for tours and research.