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The Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and historical society dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad National Historic Landmark in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It was organized in 1983 by persons interested in the history, preservation, and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad (EBT). FEBT's nonprofit, tax-exempt status was recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service in 1984 and 1986. Currently FEBT has approximately 825 members, who reside throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. In addition some 150 other individuals and organizations receive FEBT mailings on a reciprocal or complimentary basis. Regular FEBT membership costs $30.00 for twelve months; other types of memberships are available. FEBT is not affiliated with the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company.Additional membership information is available.
In 1989 FEBT's activities in support of the continued preservation of the EBT were recognized by the Pennsylvania Federation of Museum and Historical Organizations and the American Association for State and Local History. In 1990 the Pennsylvania Federation of Museum and Historical Organizations honored FEBT with the S.K. Stevens Award -- the Federation's highest award for preservation efforts.
Friends of the East Broad Top is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad, a registered US National Historic Landmark located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.Based on this mission, FEBT and its members are currently engaged in many activities; the following are the most important:
- Promotion of public awareness of the EBT as a unique historic resource and encouragement for its current operations.
- Cooperation with the owners of the EBT; federal, state, and local government agencies; and other interested groups and individuals to assure the continued existence of the EBT, to mitigate threats to it, and to promote plans for future restoration.
- Development of a museum complex in Robertsdale, the southern operating terminus of the EBT. (Currently, FEBT volunteers maintain a seasonal visitor center in the restored EBT Robertsdale Depot and are working on full rehabilitation of the companion Old Robertsdale Post Office building to house FEBT's collection of EBT artifacts, memorabilia, and historical and technical archives.)
- Restoration of a historic EBT passenger-baggage car (Combine No. 16), held by FEBT under 99- year lease.
- Monitoring the status and condition of structures, rolling stock, and other artifacts associated with the EBT, including artifacts and rolling stock not presently located within the existing National Landmark.
- Acquisition, preservation, and organization of collections of artifacts, documents, photographs, records, and other materials related to the EBT.
- Publication of a quarterly magazine, The Timber Transfer. Articles focus on the history of the EBT; its current condition, operations, and future; description and documentation of buildings, rolling stock, and other EBT resources; and other information for railroad historians, railfans, and railroad modelers interested in the EBT.
- Encouragement for books, articles, and other publications concerning the history and heritage of the EBT and the region surrounding it.
- Organization of meetings and programs for FEBT members, including an annual Fall Reunion, and special public events that celebrate the EBT and its heritage.
FEBT is governed by a nine-member board of directors; directors are elected by FEBT members for two-year terms. An executive committee of directors, chosen by the full board, provides policy guidance to officers and staff and management oversight for all FEBT operations. Officers of the corporation, including the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, are elected annually by the board. Staff positions are appointed by the president in consultation with the board. All directors, officers, and staff persons serve as unpaid volunteers.
Elected Board of Directors Members Appointed position Name Term ends President Henry F. Inman 2007 Vice President R. Lee Rainey 2008 Secretary Robert R. Farquharson 2007 Dennis R. Straub 2007 William Blomgren 2008 William Adams 2007 Wade N. Woodcock 2008 Thomas A. Diehl, Jr. 2008 Stephen W. Jacobs 2008 Appointed Officers Appointed position Name Assistant Vice President, Museum Operations Vagel C. Keller Treasurer William T. Wheeler
