Lansford is the heart of the Panther Valley and at the heart of Lansford is its people.

In salute toits place in history, the Lansford Historical Society has created the Lansford Timeline, an oversized display that chronicles the life and times of the community."We had volunteers put it together," said Bill Harleman, society president.The display dominates the east wall on the second level of the museum, housed in the former Lansford Methodist Church building, 117-119 E. Bertsch St.Since early 2010, the museum has amassed a dramatic display that showcases the greatness of Lansford. The town's character and heritage come to life in the form of colorful displays, artifacts and memorabilia. The exhibits speak to the glory days of the town named after geologist and mining expert Asa Lansford Foster, a Massachusetts native.The timeline serves as an anchor for the various displays, placing events and achievements in chronological context.The timeline begins with the local discovery of anthracite coal in 1791. The most recent entry is 2012, denoting the inclusion of the Lansford National Historic District into the National Register of Historic Places.In between are dozens and dozens of highlights, the most important of which depends on each person's tastes.For instance, historians might point to 1818 as the key year because that's when Josiah White and Erskine Hazard leased Panther Valley coal land and petitioned for exclusive rights to navigate the Lehigh River.But a railroad fan would point to 1871, the opening of the Hauto Tunnel.A shopper might see 1883 as the key date for the town. That's when J.C. Bright opened a retail store which also served as a coal company credit store.Someone into early forms of transportation will point to 1897 as Lansford's special year. That's when the Tamaqua and Lansford Street Railway began trolley service.For a music lover, 1916 was the most interesting year. That's when Tommy Dorsey Sr. and his family moved to 227 E. Abbott St. from Shenandoah.The museum includes a display of barber memorabilia owned by Frank Gustus, the first of many guest exhibitors to be featured at the repository.A recent display devoted to the Palace Theatre is special to museum volunteers and local residents alike."I worked at the Palace when I was in high school," says Renee Novak. "I was a cashier."The display includes a ticket window handcrafted from wood salvaged from St. Ann's Convent, the work of craftsman Bruce Markovich of Lansford."We're trying to preserve it," he says.Markovich used items salvaged, including literature, signage, movie camera and even a theater seat to re-create the Palace experience."Growing up, my cousin Sharon Arner used to baby-sit us and on Saturdays she'd take us to the movies. She was an usher," says Markovich.Markovich says the glass for the ticket window came from a movie theater in Summit Hill.At a time when churches in Lansford and other towns are being destroyed by the diocese, local residents are trying to salvage what they can.For instance, the museum include a message board from St. Ann's Church, donated by history enthusiast Don Gildea, who wanted the museum to have something meaningful and unique as a remembrance of St. Ann's.The museum also unveiled a chair lift that helps those unable to navigate the stairs."We needed it because there are people who can't make it up the stairs," Harleman said. And that convenient and necessary chair lift exemplifies the reason behind all of the work of the museum volunteers.They're a group of volunteers committed in service to people.