MORRISTOWN -- The Morristown Gateway Museum will receive what officials describe as a “substantial legacy” following the deaths of two of its founders, the late Alan and Lorraine Bogardus.

The couple was key in founding the museum and both were active in the organization. Lorraine died in 2015 and Allan followed this spring.

The museum seeks input from citizens about the future of the organization.

There will be an open meeting to solicit ideas at the Museum on Wednesday, July 13th, at 6:30 pm.

“The members of the Museum Board of Trustees recognize that this bequest will affect the future of the organization, and that the bequest must be handled well,” museum officials said.

They have decided to start a formal process for planning and setting goals. The current areas of interest for the museum include preserving local historic artifacts andlocal history, presenting local arts and musicians, encouraging local artists and building community spirit and pride.

“The Museum Board wants to prioritize its goals and look for new ideasm,” museum officials said. “It also wants to know the concerns and interests of people in the community. It has arranged for the planning to be facilitated by members of the St. Lawrence County Planning Department.”

Al and Lorraine established The Red Barn Museum on their property on River Road East, Morristown in the early 1970s.

They preserved and displayed items about Morristown’s history and presented occasional programs on local crafts and history.

When the Gateway Museum was organized 20 years later, they merged their organization into the facility in the village.

Now, with their deaths, Al and Lorraine have donated their home, the red barn, and about 150 acres of land to the Gateway Museum.