By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Naples Historical Society Museum received a $5,000 grant to modernize its technology.

The technology grant is from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. It was awarded to the museum earlier this month.

While the age of items on display is part of the attraction, an aging computer is not beneficial to the museum.

“My computer is 12 years old,” according to Museum Curator and Historical Society President Merry Watson.

“We hope to get a projector and a TV and new computers,” she said.

“And, computers are not cheap,” Watson said.

Also, the museum will invest in a software program that will help with keeping track of inventory.

“I am still shifting things from when we moved from the old museum,” Watson said.

“It took me a whole day just to sort through one box,” she said.

“There are things like newspapers from when Babe Ruth died that we need to keep track of,” she said.

“We have birth and death records that we will be able to put on the Internet” so that people can research those, she said.

Already, the Naples Museum has shared about 40 photos by downloading those archived photographs on Maine Memory Network, the website of the Maine Historical Society.

Naples Selectman Christine Powers had a helping hand in improving the technology at the museum. Powers applied for the grant through the King Foundation. She is also helping Watson with selecting the best computer for the job.

“We will need help. Merry needs volunteers to help her in the process of learning about the new computer,” Powers said.

Watson agreed that she would have to reach out to the community.

“I need lessons. I’m a silversmith, not a computer person,” she said.

Another purchase, the new projector will allow people to finally view the film that was restored several years ago.

If you are computer savvy and are interesting in volunteering time at the Naples Museum, call 693-3500 and leave a message for Merry Watson.