Group to preserve Franklin's history
By Tom Smith
Regional Bureau
March 27. 2003

RUSSELLVILLE - The excitement in Chris Ozbirn's voice is evident when she talks about the Franklin County Archives and Research Center.

The county commission has given Ozbirn permission to turn the old Franklin County Health Department into the research center.

Ozbirn, who has worked with the Russellville Library's Genealogy Room for 14 years, will oversee the operation of the new county archive and research
center.

Once the new health department is completed, work will begin on moving material into the facility and turning it into a place where people can come and relive the history of the county.

Construction is progressing on the new health department, and county officials hope the facility will be completed within a few months.

As anticipation grows for the new center, Ozbirn is looking for volunteers to be a part of the new center's support group - The Keepers of the Past.

"We're looking for people who are willing to work with me in the center once it's up and operational. Also, we're in the need of people who are willing to help do some minor remodeling once the building is vacated by the health
department,'' she said.

Also, Ozbirn said the support group will be helping to work on some fund-raising projects for the center.

Frances Nichols, acting chairwoman of the support group, said the volunteer organization is for anyone who is interested in researching and preserving family history and the history of the county.

"We will do some hands-on work in the center; we'll be an extension of Chris,'' Nichols said. "We'll be a helping hand to her and try to enhance the center.''

An organizational meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Russellville City Hall auditorium.

Nichols said that at the meeting, membership rules, regulations and activities will be discussed.

"All input will be recognized and appreciated,'' she said. "We're not going to be a club, just a group with a common thread of preserving our history.

"Our children and grandchildren should be left the legacy of a preserved history of their family roots.''

Ozbirn said the support group is for anyone, not just those who are interested in genealogy or history.

"It's for anyone who is willing to be a part of this,'' she said.

For details about the meeting, call Ozbirn at 389-8854 or Nichols at 332-4659.

Tom Smith can be reached at 332-0140 or at tom.smith@timesdaily.com.