news-record.com

The Gibsonville Museum and Historical Society officially started its membership campaign July 21.

After more than a year of organization, incorporation, and board elections, the society is now open to anyone interested in the history of Gibsonville who wishes to join as a charter member.

The group held a kick off event July 21 at the Aging in Action meeting at the John O. Harper Senior Center, 400 Steele St.

Deleno Flynn, president, announced that the charter membership drive will run through June 30, 2010. Memberships are $50 per person, family, group or firm. Annual dues begin after the drive ends and aren’t set yet, said secretary Sandi Moulton.

During the meeting, board members shared:

• Tina Barber, information about the Walking Tour of Downtown Gibsonville and historical Geocache.
• Richard Kleeberg, a short history of the area before Minneola Mill was built, plus his collection of photographs and documents, digitized for the society.
• Howard Hendricks, the inventory of archives he’s begun of artifacts housed at Town Hall.
• Jim Ezekiel, information on an oral history project. “I want your stories,” he said.

The purpose of the society, according to its bylaws, is to “promote public knowledge of local, state, and national history, with an emphasis on the history of Gibsonville; collect, display, and preserve artifacts, records, relics, and other items of historical value that contribute to an understanding of and appreciation for the historical developments and heritage of Gibsonville and the surrounding area; and promote, establish, and maintain a Historical Museum in the Alamance County-Guilford County area.”

Regular meetings of the s ociety will be established along with the charter memberships. Other officers are Jerry Nix, vice president; and Susan Ezekiel, treasurer. Information: Sandi Moulton, 449-5678.

— Gibsonville Museum and Historical Society