The first small step on the uncharted path to creating a museum depicting mining life and the history of local coal mines was taken last week during a meeting of Summit Hill Borough Council.

The council agreed unanimously that such a museum will be permitted to be constructed on a portion of the Ginder Field so long as there is no cost to the borough or the taxpayers.

The approval is very preliminary since no formal agreement occurred at the present time. However, David Wargo, who is spearheading the efforts for the creation of such a museum, said such verbal approval is necessary before a foundation can be established to raise funds for the project.

Wargo is the president of council but is leading the efforts to build a museum as a private citizen. During the discussion on the topic, Wargo turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Joseph Weber.

The council voted 6-0 to allow Ginder Field, a vacated football stadium, to be used as the museum site. Wargo didn’t vote on the matter.

The plans for the museum were initially discussed during a recent public hearing on the matter during which Wargo said the construction could be $7 million to $10 million.

He said a proposed amusement tax for tickets to the museum could generate over $30,000 in revenue annually for the borough.

Wargo clarified the foundation for the museum hasn’t been formally formed, yet. He said he has been working on the museum project for the past two years. The foundation would be in a partnership with the Summit Hill Historical Society.

“This will be totally funded by the foundation; there is no cost to the taxpayers,” Wargo stressed, adding a business plan was put together with at least 14 or 15 different funding sources.

He said a banker and consultant are involved in the initial planning process.

He told council that the project has the backing of state Sen. David Argall, state Rep. Doyle Heffley, the Carbon County commissioners and a congressman.

“Summit Hill was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution,” Wargo said. “We do believe this is a viable project.”

“It’s still a long way to get it started,” Weber said.

Wargo said the verbal approval for use of the Ginder site is sought in case “all the stars align.”

Lacey Gonzales made the motion to allow the use of Ginder Field because “other communities will benefit.”

Wargo has said that the museum would depict mining life in the Panther Valley as well as highlight the important role mining has played in local history.