NORWAY – The Historical Society’s home on Main Street was lit up with activity Wednesday night when dozens of people from as far away as Minot and Harrison showed up for an open house.

Members hope the event will renew activity in the 30-year-old society and that they can pass the torch to a younger generation before it dims and goes out.

“It’s what happens to so many organizations. People simply got old. No young people came aboard,” said Charles Longley, curator of the society’s exhibits of the dwindling membership.

The society, which was established in 1977, is presently without any officers to run the day-to-day needs of the organization. Only 33 people have active memberships, he said.

“There are no requirements. You just have to be interested in the society and working with historical artifacts and documents,” Longley said.

The society picked up its Cape-style home built by a local business man around 1830 and moved four times. In 1977, Norway Savings Bank gave it to society members on the condition they move it from Danforth Street.

Longley, who was born and raised in Norway but left more than half a century ago and returned in 1999 after a long career as a curator in the microtext department of the Boston Public Library, said the museum’s collection is diverse and notable.

It includes an impressive genealogy collection, gem collection, local historical photographs and works of art by artists such as Vivian Milner Akers.

Sally Jones, who joined the society about five years ago when she moved to Norway, spoke to the participants about possible future events such as designing an historic baseball game, planning field trips to historic sites and other societies, an antique boat parade, an ice cream social, an old-fashioned snowshoe walk. The ideas are only limited by the number of volunteers, she said.

Jones, who taught drama at the local high school for years, said she enjoys learning about local history and even directed several historical plays at the high school that focused on local people.

“I love the town of Norway. I think the Main Street is beautiful. It gives Norway a soul other towns don’t have,” she said.

Longley said that the society is seeking about six or seven people to serve as trustees. They would act as advisers and be responsible for things such as setting tasks and assessing standards.

A slate of candidates would be developed for the trustees and later for society officers, which the membership would vote on in the future.

The society hopes to continue its tradition of holding monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month from April through October.

The next meeting, the annual one, will be held at 7 p.m. April 19 at the society headquarters at the corner of Main and Whitman streets.