It's been a long time coming.

                But for Craig Gillihan, president of the Quakertown Historical Society, that makes it feel all the sweeter.

                The historical society, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is set to unveil a new visitors center museum located at its headquarters at 21 N. Main Street next month.  The Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce and the historical society moved into the space in 2013 under the auspice of the Upper Bucks Visitors Center. 

                The center sits in the middle of the historical hub of the borough, near McCoole's, the former Red Lion Inn, which served as a base for the Fries Rebellion.  It's also in close proximity to Liberty Hall, the site where the Liberty Bell was purported hidden from the British in 1777, and the Burgess Foulke House, built in 1812 and home to the first mayor of Quakertown.  That home was moved from its original site in 1974 to avoid being razed.  

                The visitors' center, which used to be a circa-1850 barn, was rehabbed into offices which still preserved the structure's character while adding a modern, open front.  The lobby area was outfitted with UV-filtering glass, museum-grade lighting and temperature controls.  That space will now be home to a museum featuring antiquities and relics that make up Quakertown's rich heritage.

                "We want to get the same sense for a visitor who has never been to Quakertown to come to Quakertown and sort of gain an understanding what the town is about.  And also for the residents of the borough," Gillihan said. 

                "The borough has a lot of old-time residents who like to come in and look at old pictures from the 20's, 30's and 40's.  Even for the younger generations to come in and see their grandparents and great-grandparents.  So really it's not only to benefit people who are just coming in to Quakertown, but also to give the residents a real flavor.  We want people to really go through and get a visual of what transpired."

                Part of that visually-centered display will be the installation of two large flatscreen TVs in the center, which will feature vintage photos and historical information.  Officials said they hope the museum will eventually be a stop for tourists.   

Currently the museum is home to a library, a 1930's-era neon sign from the Quakertown Moose Lodge and a 1902 Nicholas car, a gasoline-powered "Runabout" vehicle built by mechanic and carriage-maker John Nicholas, in the space, but many more artifacts are still to be installed.  The society is currently waiting on grant monies for displays, officials said. 

                Gillihan said the organization recently catalogued thousands of documents and pieces that make up their extensive collection in an effort to not only keep better records, but to decide what to place in the museum.  The collections there, he said, will be rotated to keep items fresh for visitors.

                "What's going to be the difficult part is to determine what people really want to see.  There's so much history here," he said, thumbing through old yearbooks and documents.

                Indeed, much of Quakertown's history is still kept at the Burgess Foulke House as pieces are being moved over to the museum.  Thousands of old photos are kept inside, along with old clothing and uniforms, from the Quakertown Band and the Quakertown Police Department, as well as collections of old furniture and tools and Native American arrowheads and artifacts found along the Tohickon Creek.

                A large display case with pieces from the Penrose/Moore Pottery Works of Quakertown, including sgraffito plates and crocks, will likely be a part of the museum's offerings, Gillihan said.  Richard Moore, of Moore Pottery, played an integral part in the Underground Railroad in Quakertown in the 1800's.          

                The ribbon-cutting for the museum, slated for Sept. 26 from 4-6 p.m., marks a turning point in the society's history.  Approximately four years ago, Gillihan said Quakertown Borough Council asked the historical society's board to resign in order to be overhauled under new leadership. 

                That leadership, starting with Gillihan's appointment, has made the move to open up the society and its resources from what he described as a "secretive" group to one that has welcomed people with open arms. 

                "What's really been gratifying is people are really starting to see it now," he said. "When we did this project here it really brought people out of the woodwork.  People are coming out now who want to do things, now they feel like they're involved.  We're picking up support."

                Gillihan said after the museum is established, the society's next project will be to open up the Burgess Foulke House, which used to be viewed by invitation only, for tours.  The group would like to keep a passive office there and expand the visitors center and museum hours to include Saturdays.

                "I'm very excited to be a part of this," said Rita Woodward, society vice president.  "We've come a long way in a very short amount of time.  I'm looking forward to growing and to seeing the community support it.  I'm hoping the museum is a big success."

                For more information on the Quakertown Historical Society, or its visitors center museum grand opening fundraiser Sept. 26, visit www.quakertownhistoricalsociety.org, or call 215.536.3298.