RUMFORD – Members of the Rumford Historical Society know their organization has a wealth of historical and genealogical information on the people, places and history of their town.

The trouble is, because of limited staff hours and no way to reach society volunteers, few others know this.

As part of a reorganization and rejuvenation of the 30-year-plus group, a telephone has been installed, an e-mail address established, and soon, a Web site will be available.

“We’re really trying to put ourselves out there and gain memberships,” said newly elected president Burt deFrees. “We’ve established a whole bunch of committees and a grant writer will soon be working for us.”

The archives are located on the second floor of the Municipal Building. Volunteers staff the rooms, stuffed with books, family information, photographs and a multitude of other historical data, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Thursday. And until the phone was installed earlier this month, those looking for information had to leave written messages with the municipal staff downstairs.

“This is all part of our reorganization. We’ve always had these wonderful volunteers,” said deFrees.

“The historical society is Rumford’s best kept secret,” said Druscilla Breton, the group’s long-time secretary. “We want people to know we are available for research and genealogy.”

DeFrees said many new subcommittees have been organized to make sure certain tasks are completed. These include a membership committee that will soon launch a membership drive, budget, policy, Lufkin Museum, program and special function committees, among other things.

Linda Macgregor, the interviewer and author of “Rumford Stories,” is currently writing grants for future projects, such as a continuation of a book on Rumford history that ended in the early 1970s. Other projects may include transferring a series of audio or visual tapes compiled by historical researcher Peter McKenna.

“We want to make these tapes accessible to the public,” said deFrees.

About 60 people are members of the historical society right now. Hopes are to considerably increase that number.

The society meets on the third Wednesday of most months in the conference room of the Municipal Building. Members also staff the Lufkin Museum most Saturdays during the summer months.

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