The long and extensive restoration project underway to bring the Kemmerer Carriage House in Jim Thorpe back to a semblance of its former grandeur continues unabated.

As part of this volunteer effort and to help raise funds for the work being done, the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, Inc. and the Mauch Chunk Historical Society will be holding the 2nd annual "Fall Ball" at the Mauch Chunk Museum Ballroom located at 41 West Broadway in Jim Thorpe Saturday evening, Nov. 7 beginning at 5 p.m.The Kemmerer Carriage House is located on the "Front Hill" in the downtown area which was occupied by the elegant mansions of some of Mauch Chunk's, and the nation's, most wealthy and influential families who were among the entrepreneurs that created and sustained the American Industrial Revolution that made this country the world power that it is today.Among these nation builders are prominent figures such as Asa Packer, Josiah White, Erskine Hazard and Mahlon Kemmerer.After extensive cleanup, framing work, floor replacement, brickwork restoration, and a multitude of other work already done at the structure, one of the latest major undertakings, now going on, has been the installation of a new roof over a major part of the Carriage House.In addition to what is raised through the Fall Ball, funding for all of this restoration work also comes from Jay and Peter Kemmerer and the Kemmerer Family Foundation as well as from the Lisenring Family.While much of the previous restoration work has been done by volunteers and Colaviti Construction, the ongoing roofing work is being done by Jeff Willcox of "The Home Tune-up" home improvements of Jim Thorpe and it is just one more major hurdle in this community project.The Fall Ball, which is open to anyone interested in attending, is by reservation only and while it will be a "costume ball", dressing up is optional. For those who do wish to come in costume, the time period represented will be from the Civil War up through the Victorian era, roughly from about the 1860s to the 1890s.Weather permitting, at approximately 5 p.m., the evening's activities will begin with "Promenade in Old Mauch Chunk", a stroll down through the downtown area and back up to the museum with possible stops for picture taking along the way.Back at the museum's ballroom, the evening will continue with Hors d'oeuvres and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.The event will be catered by about eight or nine of Jim Thorpe's restaurants with a diverse buffet menu of fine culinary delights to be served at the evening's dinner at 7 p.m.There will also be a presentation of song and dance from "The Merry Widow" Operetta as well as a historical insight by Jack Sterling about "Betsy Miller", a woman who came to Mauch Chunk in 1842 from Wilmington Delaware and eventually became a very important figure in the town.The evening will continue with additional entertainment and a chance for everyone to dance in the ballroom after dinner.A limited number of reservations are still available for the event. All monies raised will benefit the Kemmerer Park Carriage House renovation project. For information and reservations, please call (570) 325-4436.Parking is available at the County parking lot behind the train station and shuttle bus runs from the train station to the museum will start at 4:30 pm and return after the event.