By introducing visitors to different cultures, historical periods, and art forms, museums provide them with the opportunity to learn from the past and to build bridges rather than breed division or isolation.

When it came time for Mountville residents to celebrate the borough's bicentennial in 2014, it was decided that there was a need for a Mountville Historical Society. The mission of the Mountville Historical Society is to oversee the Mountville Museum and its collections, preserve and research Mountville history, and provide resources to educate Mountville residents on the borough's past to help build a path for the future.

The Mountville Museum is situated in the historic 1901 school building, 2 College Ave., Mountville. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum was closed for over a year and a half. The volunteers, however, did not stop working. They spent their time cataloging about 1,000 Mountville-related items that were donated by museum board member Robert Zink; his wife, Lois; and their daughter, Sonya.

For the past 40 years, the Zink family found, purchased, and was given signs, badges, plot drawings, photographs, newspaper clippings, hats, flags, tools, trophies, furniture, machinery, ceramics, documents, books, Civil War artifacts, uniforms, and more. Now 81 years old, Robert decided it was time to donate the collection to the Mountville Museum. "We enjoyed the collection for over 40 years, and now I'm enjoying watching people enjoy it," he said. "Let's give the younger people a chance to see what was yesteryear."

Donating the collection has also given Lois a sense of relief. "My wife said, 'We finally have some room that we can move around!'" noted Robert.

Some of the items from the collection are housed in wooden display cases, which were made from oak trees on the property that were cut down.

"For a little town, and I know we only have one room, but I think we have a really nice display of different things," said museum curator Elaine Savukas.

The Zink family exhibit will be featured in the museum for the next year. The Zink family has also loaned the museum its display of Susquehannock Native American artifacts from the Washington Boro area.

The Mountville Museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of November and the second Sunday of December. It will then close and reopen in March. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.

Those interested in learning more about the exhibit or about volunteering at the museum may contact Savukas at 717-285-4910.