HARRISBURG - The Museum of Anthracite Mining would be conveyed to Ashland Borough as part of legislation approved by the Senate State Government Committee Tuesday, according to a press release from state Sen. David G. Argall (R-29).
Since 2006, the borough has kept the museum open and used office space in the museum for borough hall.
Included in the proposal, Senate Bill 430, the state is guaranteed that the property is operated as a museum by the borough. If not, the property would immediately revert to the state's ownership.
Argall notes that it is difficult to sell state properties that contain a historic covenant due to costs.
The bill has the support of the Department of General Services, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the borough, Argall said.
The bill now heads to the floor of the Senate for consideration.
State Rep. Neal Goodman (D-123) introduced House Bill 616, which mirrors Argall's legislation, in the House of Representatives.