A historic place in Luzerne County which attracts tourists will close December first and may never reopen.
State layoffs could affect those who live and work at Eckley Miners' Village near Freeland.
Part of it is a coal town, preserved as it was more than 100 years ago. Another section is a state museum, telling the story of our area's rich coal history. The place is also the target of state budget cuts. Officials said most of the workers there will be laid off.
According to a state spokesman, unless they can find volunteers to run the complex, the museum and the Eckley Miners' Village will close as of December first and there is no guarantee it will ever reopen.
That shocks some tourists visiting from California.
"It's just really sad. There is just so much information to be learned and there is a lot of history here, a lot more than in California. There is history in California but this goes way back to the 1500, 1600," said Franci Nishihara of California.
"It's a shame it's affecting everybody and hopefully this recession will improve itself soon," said Scott Nishihara.
Eckley Miners' Village also features other parts of history, such as a Civil War reenactment. Closing the village and museum permanently would be a mistake according to a man who volunteers for the Civil War event.
"They could try and save money elsewhere all summer, and even those months in the wintertime. People come here, you know. People from all over the state, the country," said John Gretchen of Freeland.
About 12 families still live and rent the coal homes from the state in Eckley. Their fate is uncertain too.
State layoffs could affect those who live and work at Eckley Miners' Village near Freeland.
Part of it is a coal town, preserved as it was more than 100 years ago. Another section is a state museum, telling the story of our area's rich coal history. The place is also the target of state budget cuts. Officials said most of the workers there will be laid off.
According to a state spokesman, unless they can find volunteers to run the complex, the museum and the Eckley Miners' Village will close as of December first and there is no guarantee it will ever reopen.
That shocks some tourists visiting from California.
"It's just really sad. There is just so much information to be learned and there is a lot of history here, a lot more than in California. There is history in California but this goes way back to the 1500, 1600," said Franci Nishihara of California.
"It's a shame it's affecting everybody and hopefully this recession will improve itself soon," said Scott Nishihara.
Eckley Miners' Village also features other parts of history, such as a Civil War reenactment. Closing the village and museum permanently would be a mistake according to a man who volunteers for the Civil War event.
"They could try and save money elsewhere all summer, and even those months in the wintertime. People come here, you know. People from all over the state, the country," said John Gretchen of Freeland.
About 12 families still live and rent the coal homes from the state in Eckley. Their fate is uncertain too.
