The idea for a museum highlighting the heritage of the lumber industry in Pennsylvania started with the suggestion that the Penn-York Lumberman’s Club acquire a logging locomotive to display at their annual Woodsman Carnival, which had been held at Cherry Springs Park since 1952.. This suggestion was made in May of 1963 and at the July meeting of the members of the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club decided to go further and to work towards the development of a museum.
Logo of the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club 
Postcard of the Potato City Hotel. It was at this hotel that the Penn-York Lumbermen’s club met and where the early planning for the Lumber Museum took place (LM2012.30.15) 
On the right, the Shay locomotive purchased for the Lumber Museum in Fenwick, WV c1962. The Shay on the left would go to the PA Railroad Museum.
The members of the Penn-York Lumberman’s Club worked together with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) to plan this new museum. A 160 acre site was acquired from Denton Hill State Park and in 1966 the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved funds for the construction of the Lumber Museum. Prior to construction beginning in 1969 several member of the General Services Authority tried to cut the funding for the museum. Fortunately the members of the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, PHMC, and their supporters were able to rally support and save the museum.
Opened in 1959, Denton Hill State Park quickly became a popular Skiing destination. (Postcard LM2012.30.13) 
160 acres of the park was transferred to PHMC for the new museum. The museum is now located on the land in the upper right side of this picture. (Postcard LM2012.30.14) 
The Lumber Museum faced a last minute threat to its funding right as construction was about to begin. (The Potter Enterprise) 
A letter from State Senator Confair to Marshall Case, President of the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, informing him that funding for the museum has been secured. 
This Auger was the first artifact to be officially entered into the collection of the PA Lumber Museum
The Visitor Center was dedicated on August 1st, 1970…. and then immediately closed for regular hours due to lack of funding. “Lumber Museum Open, Then Closes” read the headline of The Potter Enterprise’s coverage of the Visitor Center dedication. The formal opening would occur two years later on August 4th, 1972, after the completion of the recreated Lumber Camp. Both ceremonies were planned to coincide with the annual Woodsman’s Carnival in honor of the efforts of the Penn-York Lumberman’s Club.
Dedication of the Visitor’s Center August 1, 1970 (The Potter Enterprise) 
Program Cover for the Dedication. 
Inside of the Dedication Program. Notice the note about the limited hours that had to be included in the program. 
The Lumber Camp was completed just over a year after the Visitor Center was dedicated. (The Potter Enterprise) 
Poster inviting attendees of the Woodsmen’s Carnival to the Formal Opening of the Lumber Museum on August 4th, 1972.
