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Despite a deepening recession and a $600,000 budget shortfall, Blacksburg officials are pressing ahead with long-discussed museum projects.

The first town museum is set to open this fall at the historic St. Luke's and Odd Fellows Hall at 203 Gilbert St. and will feature exhibits on the town's African-American community. A story about the hall, its history and the museum project will run in Saturday's (Jan. 31, 2009) Roanoke Times.

Last week, the council also approved $1 million in capital improvement funds for restoration of the Alexander Black House on Draper Road. Built by a member of the town's founding family -- a white family with the surname Black -- the house was moved from its original location on Main Street in 2002 to make way for the Kent Square retail complex.

The ornate building has sat vacant since that time, but work is progressing on turning it into the main town museum, Blacksburg Museum Administrator Terry Nicholson said.

To get the $1 million in town funds, the museum committee and a newly-formed nonprofit organization created to oversee the project must raise another $1 million in matching funds. Nicholson estimated that the fundraising could take a year or more.

The town owns nine major historical structures, some of which need major or minor repairs. They are:

St. Luke’s and Odd Fellows Hall, 203 Gilbert St.

Blacksburg Motor Company (former Doc Roberts Tire Co.), 400 S. Main St.

Bennett House at Wong Park, 303 Wilson Ave.

Five Chimneys House, 203 Washington St.

Thomas-Connor House, 104 Draper Road

Alexander Black House, 204 Draper Road

Nelson O. Price House, 107 Wharton St.

Old Town Hall, 141 Jackson St.

The Armory, 201 Draper Road

Earmarked donations may be made to any of the town's museum or other historical efforts by contacting Nicholson.

-- Tonia Moxley