REPUBLIC — The Republic Area Historical Society is embarking on a new project to further enhance the township’s sense of historical identity and promote a renewed sense of community.

RAHS will launch a campaign in conjunction with the organization’s 25-year anniversary to renovate what is commonly known as the “Beulah House” to locals. The home on Cedar Street last belonged to Beulah Pascoe, a teacher and principal at the Republic School for many years as well as the daughter of area founder Peter Pascoe. RAHS is looking to turn it into a cultural learning center, RAHS President Olga Williams said.

The once-luxurious home has had several owners and went through an equal number of restoration attempts, Williams said, before the building was donated to the society in 2014.

“It is gutted inside,” Williams said, “And at least one load-bearing wall needs to be replaced.”

The Pascoe House Museum, right next to the Beulah House, has been the main base of operations for the society since it opened in 2002, but its design and the size of the rooms make expanding RAHS’s operation difficult.

“We want to provide services to the community that are historically related,” Williams said. “The Beulah House is large enough to provide a place for assembly, a place for speakers.”

Williams said RAHS members would also use the space to teach school children of all ages about area history and culture, which has been a goal of the organization from its inception.

The work, as well as the fundraising would likely be done in phases, Williams said.

“Phase one will be to renovate the house and make it structurally sound and safe for the public,” Williams said.

The updated space will also address other logistical challenges faced by the society, she said.

“The Pascoe House Museum is really small and there is not a lot of room to have the artifacts properly stored,” Williams said. “We try to change the theme of the exhibits every year and that would be easier if we could store the artifacts at in the Beulah house.”

Additional details about the project will be unveiled during a celebration at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19 at the Republic Township Hall.

In addition to the plans for the Beulah House restoration, the celebration will include presentations about the origination of the society and the simple note that spawned the movement to create a “bridge to the past.”

The initial idea of forming a historical society came about from an economic development questionnaire for the community in 1992, according to a RAHS press release.

“An anonymous note in the comment section of that questionnaire,” the release states, “was the inspiration for the society.”

Williams said several of the organization’s founders will be at the Aug. 19 event to share history and ideas.

“We have presenters that are going to talk about the society from its beginnings,” Williams said, “Two of those founding members who moved away from the area are coming back and two others are still part of the organization.”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.