ELBERTA — "Join today to remember yesterday, and be a part of tomorrow."

That's the slogan the Baldwin County Heritage Museum in Elberta is using in its current membership drive. The museum's original exhibit rooms will reopen on September 14 with a primary focus in mind, namely, how to best serve the people of Baldwin County.

"Our renewed efforts to grow and expand as an educational force in the community are ongoing," said Beck Holliday, the museum's education director.

"Though much of the museum is under renovation the original three exhibit rooms will be open to schools by appointment beginning September 14."

Nothing at present, however, is more important for the museum's future than the recognition that the museum in Elberta belongs to the Eastern Shore, South Baldwin, Central Baldwin and North Baldwin areas as much as it does to the Elberta-Lillian area. Indeed, museum officials are actively seeking artifacts, costumes, handcrafts, and anything having to do with the dozen or so nationalities who settled in enclaves all over Baldwin County.

And the museum needs memberships from all over the county too.

"It's difficult to go for a grant from a big foundation unless the members show they are interested in this museum," Holliday said.

"We are in desperate need of members as much as the $10 fee."

The $10 membership fee is for an individual. Annual contributions are designated as high as $5,000 (Benefactor) and the museum would like to see area businesses step up and support the museum's effort to preserve the heritage and past of a county on the fast track to change.

Businesses can call the museum and request a membership drive sign, collection bucket and membership applications. A member of the museum staff will hand deliver the items, Holliday said.

BCHM will be open to school programs and projects on Wednesdays once the museum opens. Reservations are required but no fee is involved.

Thursdays will be reserved for classes and club groups. The museum will offer classes in painting, needlework, tatting, corn husk dolls, weaving and so on. Classes will have a fee.

Club groups may hold their meetings in the museum and request a special program presented by Holliday or Textile Curator Coletta Bailey on such topics as conservation and preservation of family documents, photographs and the like. No fee is charged for clubs to visit the museum.

On Friday and Saturday the museum will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Twice a month on Sundays special programs or speakers will be available free of charge.

Anyone wishing to volunteer time and services at BCHM or become a member may call 251-986-8375.