Allegany Museum Seeks $2.75M From State Of Md.

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- A historical museum in Cumberland is asking Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley for $2.75 million for renovation work.

Allegany Museum President Gary Bartik told The Cumberland Times-News the renovations would make the downtown museum a national heritage attraction.

Allegany County and neighboring Garrett County, along with 16 West Virginia counties, comprise the private, nonprofit, Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. The U.S. senators of both states recently introduced legislation to make the region a national heritage area.

The funding request took local state Delegate Kevin Kelly by surprise. Kelly told the newspaper that Bartik should have approached the county's legislative delegation before writing to the governor.

But Bartik says now is the time to request the money. He says the renovation project began 13 years ago and he wants to finish it.

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