Tamaqua Historical Society took possession of two complete Tamaqua band uniforms on Thursday, outfits to be displayed and preserved when the new Tamaqua Historical Society Museum opens about 12 months from now.

The uniforms were donated by the Tamaqua Area School District and Mark Beltz, band director.The blue-and-white uniforms, no longer in use, were produced by the Starling Company of Brookfield, Missouri, and worn by members of the Tamaqua Area High School Raider Marching Band from 2001 until 2013.The school district found itself with a surplus of 175 of the old uniforms last year when the band received new uniforms in time for fall football season.The district began offering the old uniforms to the public at a cost of $25 each for a complete set including a hat, plume, jacket, and pants.When the society expressed interest in preserving one or two of the uniforms for posterity, the district provided two sets free of charge.Among those on hand to accept the donation were several society volunteers who also are Raider Marching Band alumni.They included Walter Weston of Hometown, who joined the band in 1949; Gary Willing of Tamaqua, 1964; Donald Serfass of Hometown, 1969; and Dave Weston of Hometown, 1978.The society's new museum will include a display of photos, artifacts and banners from the Tamaqua High School Boys Band, the Raider Marching Band and the Tamaqua Senior High School Girls Drum and Bugle Corps.