Eckley Miners Village has a past, but will it have a future?

That question is going unanswered for now. But the immediate future of the coal region tourist attraction was revealed Monday in a state-issued news release indicating that Eckley "will close for the winter and may reopen in spring." But then again, it may not.State budget cutbacks and staffing layoffs at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), which operates Eckley, already are building a framework in which sites like Eckley would run into problems when trying to reopen. Contacted Tuesday, employees of the PHMC could not predict what will happen over the next few months.The Rendell administration is laying off another 300 state employees reflecting a 2 percent spending cut in the state budget enacted last month. The next wave of layoffs will be announced Friday and is having a major impact at the PHMC.Sources within the commission say that staffing has been reduced under the Rendell administration from 360 to 250. On Friday, that number is expected to be reduced again to about 150. Some 23 PHMC employees already had been laid off earlier this year.The cutbacks are being felt at places such as Eckley Miners Village."Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, I have lost my job as of this Friday," said William Strassner on Tuesday. Strassner is an Eckley curator who sent an e-mail to business associates in the early afternoon to advise them of his departure. "Other staff members have lost their jobs as well," said Strassner. "The museum will stay open but with a skeleton crew."If Eckley Miners Village should close for good, the loss would be felt locally in various ways. For instance, the Eckley Players Theatre Troupe would be hard pressed to continue. The volunteer-driven organization based at the village, provides history-oriented entertainment at street fairs in the TIMES NEWS coverage area, including the Tamaqua Heritage Festival, the Lansford Coal Miners Heritage Festival and at many parades and special events.There had been state proposals in the past that would have shuttered Eckley Miners Village, but a groundswell of support helped to persuade the state to maintain its commitment to the lower Luzerne County site. But it seemed the village was subject to scrutiny during each budget cycle.In fact, a review of the sustainability of state-run historical sites had begun even before the current economic collapse, and the breakdown in the state budget process.The state had released a report in February titled "Planning Our Future." The report looked at the viability of various state-run historical resources. The PHMC reportedly had intended to follow-up the release of the report with community discussions. But that phase of the process never happened.Rounds of state employee layoffs came after the $27.8 billion state budget was enacted. While about 77,000 state employees are still on the payroll, the PHMC has been particularly hard hit by furloughs.Of 23 state-owned historic sites, only six will remain in full operation. The state reportedly is mothballing six historic sites, closing five sites this winter and transferring control of another six sites to local groups. In addition, about five sites were closed last year.Carol Lee of the PHMC told the TIMES NEWS Tuesday the state is committed to working with volunteer groups to transfer operations at various sites.That sentiment was echoed by Kirk Wilson, PHMC press secretary, who said volunteers would likely play a pivotal role if Eckley is to continue as a tourist attraction."We will sit down with volunteer boards," said Wilson.Wilson confirmed that a $15.7 M budget cut has "resulted in a furlough of 85 employees. It has placed the future of some of our sites in jeopardy."Eckley Miners Village reported 17,764 visitors in financial year 2007-08, putting the village at 14th position among the state's 25 sites, according to data from the commission. At 13th position was the Anthracite Heritage Museum at Scranton's McDade Park with 18,297 visits. That site also will close Dec. 1 for the winter and a future reopening is uncertain.According to reports, 319 state positions are being eliminated, including 224 rank-and-file jobs and 95 management positions. The cuts are expected to save the state $7.9 million this year.The cuts are impacting departments and agencies such as: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Community and Economic Development, Environmental Protection, Executive Offices, Historical and Museum Commission, Human Relations Commission, Insurance, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Public Welfare.To save additional funds, the State Archives will close on Mondays and Tuesdays and the State Record Center will charge a fee for service effective Jan. 1, 2010."We're trying to do the best we can with the resources we've been provided," said Wilson.