MARYSVILLE — The walls have been raised, but the interior still needs some work on the Marysville Historical Society Museum.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, MHS President Ken Cage provided a rough forecast of the work that he expects to be completed this year, although he refrained from giving specific dates.

“In August of last year, we were standing on a grassy field for a groundbreaking ceremony,” Cage said from inside the two-story museum building off Armar Road. “Now, we’re standing on the concrete floor of a lovely new building, but we’ve still got a lot left to do.”

Cage explained that, while the upper floor of the museum would be mostly devoted to computers and other technology, “so that you can look up old photos,” the ground floor would feature not only historical exhibits, but also a small catering kitchen and floorspace for functions such as weddings and other large parties or community events.

“This will be a real good community center, thanks to the help of Rotary,” said Cage, who also noted the support of the city of Marysville, Roy Robinson Chevrolet, and E and E Lumber. “It took the dedication of a lot of people’s yard sales, garage sales and bake sales just to buy this land. A lot of people in the Marysville Historical Society emptied out their piggy banks for this, because this is going to be a big deal for Marysville and a major addition to the city.”

In addition to providing display space for the antique telephone museum, since the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association has also been a major donor, the Marysville Historical Society Museum will also reflect the legacies of the Log Cabin Club, which merged with the Marysville Historical Society in the 1980s, and the Pioneers Club, which merged with the Historical Society in the ‘90s.

“We still give out the Pioneer of the Year Award in their honor,” said Cage, who praised the MHS Board members for carrying that history forward. “Our Board is charged with keeping our continuity going, so that when we’re all dead and buried, this Historical Society will still be preserving our history.”

Project Manager Steve Muller, who also serves as a member of the Marysville Noon Rotary and the Marysville City Council, expanded on Cage’s explanations of the remaining interior work, and echoed Cage’s metaphor of a community barn-raising.

“Most of the interior design work is already done,” Muller said. “The Jubies will be handling a lot of the electrical work. Cuz Concrete will be donating and funding a lot of the piping. Much of the interior is going to take shape very quickly.”

Muller likewise reported that the city was set to sign off on the project’s second phase on Thursday, Feb. 13.

“I can’t wait to see it,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “It’s a credit to the Marysville Historical Society, and to Ken and Ethel Cage. There were years when others wondered whether this would actually happen, but they never had any doubt, and now, we all get to benefit from their work on behalf of our quality of life and heritage.”

“A few dedicated souls refused to let this dream die,” Cage said. “This has kept me young, since I’m actually 114 years old,” he joked. “It’s good to have something that keeps your mind and body active, and we look forward to rolling right into the future.”