County museum may close Jan 1st
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Phyllis Moore, curator of the Carroll County Historical Society Museum, informed the Comet on Tuesday that the museum will likely close as of Jan. 1.

She said three members of the Carroll County Council informed her Tuesday that there will be no funding for the museum in 2008. Currently, the curator and assistant are paid by the county, and a third person is paid through a grant, due to expire soon.

"The Historical Society does not have sufficient funding to continue operations and staff funding; therefore, there is a likely probability that the museum will be shut down," Moore said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Rob Baker, president of the Carroll County Council, was contacted by the Comet Tuesday afternoon. He said the budget has not yet been approved, but Moore and county department heads are being informed of proposed cuts in the budget. He said Moore and department heads can come to a council budget meeting on Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. to comment on proposed cuts.

Moore said she was upset with the news that the museum is in danger of closing. She's been the museum curator for 40 years. The Carroll County Historical Society has been in control of the museum for the same amount of time - since 1967.

Moore said she worked the first five years at the museum without any pay. Her first salary, in 1972, was $1,200.