PERU – A certificate honoring a local Civil War veteran signed by Maine’s Joshua Chamberlain hangs on one wall. A glass case displaying odds and ends of personal and household items lines another side of the room. Volumes of early 1900s Lewiston Evening Journals stand against the front wall. And vintage adult and children’s clothing hangs in a corner closet.

The Peru Historical Society’s museum has come a long way in two years.

Conrad Knox, one of the organization’s enthusiastic creators, loves to show people around the second floor of the Rockemeka Grange Hall.

Two years ago, the fledgling museum had few items depicting the town’s history. A few T-shirts, some odds and ends.

But now, the former meeting hall of the century-old Grange Hall is awash in all kinds of historical artifacts and documents. A computer at the front of the high-ceilinged hall keeps track of the items and documents.

The museum was a necessity, said Knox. Dozens and dozens of tools, books, old kitchen utensils and documents had been tucked in peoples’ attics and basements. Now, many of them have a home.

One of the most popular items, he said as he began to turn page after page of newspaper clippings, is a scrapbook lovingly compiled by one of the town’s residents.

“A lot of people come in to look at this,” he said.

Inside are pictures and news of area people during World War II and before. Military notes, weddings, social news, items that make up the fabric of any community.

On a large wooden table in the center of the room is a display of old-time butter churns, bread-makers and other kitchen implements used by people a century or more ago.

A wooden Victorian-era baby carriage, donated by the Morris Oldham family, sits near the entrance to the hall.

Items keep coming in, while members of the historical society try to keep up with cataloging each one.

Outside the now town-owned Grange Hall is a granite block with the words, “Union Hall 1860” carved into it. It once marked the Peru schoolhouse. Soon, it will be set on a platform in front of the Grange Hall and displayed.

The Rockemeka Grange disbanded in 1985.

The museum doesn’t have regular hours yet, but anyone who wants to take a walk into the past may call Knox at 562-7556 for an appointment.

“We’ve come a long way,” he said.

eadams@sunjournal.com