MARS — When the Valencia Historical Society closed in January, the Mars Area History and Landmark Society opened its doors. Valencia had artifacts, but couldn't get enough volunteers to manage them. The Mars society could.

“We joined with them,” said Ariel “Buzz” Kelly, former Valencia Historical Society president.

The Valencia group's by-laws allowed the Mars society to retain its artifacts, which meant the group had to close its doors. All that remained in the group's treasury was donated to the Mars society. Every life member of the Valencia society became a life member of the Mars group.

Many Valencia members have joined and now volunteer with Mars. Kelly is one of them.

The Mars society offered to place Valencia's artifacts in its museum, which also has pieces from Callery, Cooperstown, Myoma, Seven Fields, Treesdale and Cranberry, Adams and Middlesex townships. Four or five showcases still sit at the old Valencia group's location in the basement of the Valencia borough building and need to be moved to Mars.

“We have a lot of stuff up there (in Valencia),” Kelly said. “A lot of pictures.”

Mars has two sections: a collection of smaller items — yearbooks, glass insulators and other objects — is in the old train station along Brickyard Road, while larger items, such as an early 20th century mail truck, are in the adjacent auxiliary building.

“We're running tight on space,” said John Watson, Mars society president, during a recent tour with government officials.

Watson noted the auxiliary building also holds the society's workshop and meeting room. Members want to add a 700-square-foot addition to the auxiliary building. Watson estimated the project will cost about $70,000.

“It will allow us to expand our display area,” he said.

The extra space also will allow the society to move the workshop, which is largely used for building displays. With items still being transferred from Valencia and new donations every week, Kelly said space will still be tight even after the addition is built.

“The storage space is a big thing,” Kelly said.

Several historical groups in Butler County have closed, but Kelly said the Mars group is going strong. He believes part of this strength is due to location. Mars was once the town nearest to the local high school and home to professionals, such as doctors.

“It was a hub for everything,” Kelly said.

He added that the society is also successful because of the Mars Shortline Railroad. The miniature train offers public rides on seven-gauge track around the society. According to Watson, the railroad has increased the society's visitors and volunteers.

“Attendance is really, really up incredibly,” Watson said. So are donations, monetary and otherwise. The Mars society has more than $10,000 allotted toward the addition so far.

To make a donation, contact the society at 724-272-9588 or visit 1 Brickyard Road. Learn more about the Mars history society at marshistory.org.