Bea Lebal is relieved. She says, "We have been working on this project, for this day, for 4 years now."

She is ready for this building to get an upgrade, and today her journey begins. Lebal is president of the Merrill Historical Society...a group with some lofty goals.

Lebal says, "We want to put an addition onto this former church building that will allow the museum to have a nice office. A research library where they can come in and do their genealogical research or historical research."

The construction project will cost about $1 million. They plan to raise the money one day at a time.

The new Heritage Museum would give the public a chance to see the society's collections. Especially since the artifacts are currently packed away in the basement.

The addition would also make the building handicap accessible and create a large space for community meetings.

Lebal thinks a new historical society will only mean good things for the city of Merrill. "A nice museum tends to bring people to a community," exclaimed Lebal.

The Heritage Center is located on North 3rd Street in Merrill.