With one year of existence behind it, Butler's Maridon Museum and the county's tourism-promotion agency must redouble their efforts to spread the word about the wonderful experience that the museum provides.

While the museum hosted about 3,500 visitors over the past 12 months, that averages to just about 10 visitors a day, certainly not a number befitting a museum of such quality and beauty.

Maridon ought to be able to attract more than its current 9 percent of visitors from out of state, and that must be a big part of the goal for the next 12 months, while also stepping up efforts for visitors from throughout Pennsylvania.

People don't have to be knowledgeable about Chinese ivories and jades, Japanese ivories and German Meissen porcelain figures to appreciate the beauty of the museum's excellent displays. And, for high school and college students studying those countries - and even those students just being offered a new cultural experience - the museum is a treasure that will not be forgotten.

Mary Hulton Phillips, whose generosity allowed the transformation of what formerly was a car dealership and lighting supply store on North McKean Street into the museum, will always merit the community's appreciation for making many of her 800 ivories, jades and porcelain figures available for the enjoyment of other people, preferably from throughout the world. However, the museum will never be accorded the level of appreciation of which it is capable without a more concerted publicity push - and, that is a responsibility of the county's tourism agency.

Understandably, the first 12 months of the museum's existence was a year of getting settled and making sure that the museum operates without any setbacks. Now, with that "infancy" past, there is a greater feel for what needs to be done to get many more people to tour the museum. Advertising the museum near and far will be the basis for that.

Once people visit, it is certain they will spread the word about their wonderful experience to friends and family. That is evident based on a comment by Ruth Ralston, a docent at Maridon, who was quoted in a story about the museum in Sunday's Butler Eagle.

"The comments have been 99 percent favorable," she said. "People are impressed, whether they have a strong educational background or not."

Mary Phillips spent about 50 years collecting the pieces on display in the museum, which comprises 12,000 feet of exhibit space. Her decision in regard to establishing a museum here was not only an expression of generosity, but also an expression of love for her community.

Cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles would welcome this opportunity that Phillips has accorded Butler. Therefore, great amounts of energy should be expended to keep people wanting to come here to experience the museum.

Ways should be found to package a visit to the Maridon with other tourism opportunities that the city and its surrounding areas hold.

The past 12 months haven't been a failure for the museum - by no means. However, the future must build upon what has been accomplished since the museum opened on May 8, 2004.

What's good for the Maridon Museum is good for Butler. What's good for the Maridon will be good for other area attractions' attempts to increase tourist traffic.

People with the expertise, contacts and resources to work on the Maridon's behalf will be helping the city as well as the museum.