Collection of Genealogical Articles Written by Society Members For Weekly Publication in the Sun Herald Newspapers, 1998

              Sii^lii&illefiM ^   Wgdn6Sday^Septeniber30^'1998
Letters to the editor
Editor:
Members of the Charlotte County Genealogical Society were excited to read your edi¬ torial in a recent column in the <I>Punta Gorda Herald <t>conceniing the Old Punta Gorda Courthouse. Your com¬ ment that "it would be a shame to tear it dovm" and "a waste to leave it abandoned" hits the mark. This is a sub¬ stantial building. It is large and can accommodate more than one group.
We feel tiiat it would lend itself very well to a type of Historic and Genealogical Research Community Center. There has been interest in locating the Museum in the Courthouse. W6 siupport that idea and hasten to add that we, too, would like to have space in the renovated building. Other groupsnaay also be
interested in taking up resi- dencei groups that, at present, do not have a proper meeting placed or archival area.
Meetmg places for organi¬ zations are scattered all over the area, in churches and some in private homes. Some rooms are adequate. Others are not. We had a five-county meeting a couple of years ago with 200 people assembled. This October, we will entertain "Heritage Quest" Road Show with at least 100 people in attendance. On special occa¬ sions, larger meeting rooms are needed.
Many organizations do not have spacje for their reference books or offipe equipment. The Charlbtte County Genealogical Society is fortu¬ nate in tiiat the library at the Charlotte County Cultural Center has offered space
where we can house over 2,000 books, CDs and tapes, tapes. However, space is limit¬ ed and many of our books have not seen the Ught of day because there is no room for them. I am sure there are other non-profit educational organi¬ zations with similar problems.
This is a historic building. What more appropriate way to use it than in relocating the couhty's museum, the Genealogical Society, histori¬ cal societies under the roof, thereby making education information available to all, residents and visitors alike!
By tiie way, we think your paper is great. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Gene JDudiey, President
Charlotte County
Gmealogical' Society.