The majority of the historic items on display at the Monessen Heritage Museum were found in the attics and treasure troves of those who were born and raised in the city.
But the newest acquisitions to the museum came from an unlikely source -- eBay.
Known as one of the Internet's premiere global online market places, just about anything can be bought or sold through eBay auctions.
Dean Wilkins, a member of the Greater Monessen Historical Society, which owns the heritage museum, often browses eBay auctions for memorabilia from his hometown of Monessen. He's especially interested in sports-related artifacts.
He recently came across an auction of albums featuring photos of legendary Monessen mayor, the late Hugo J. Parente. Parente is still known as one of the most powerful mayors in the history of the city.
Wilkins bid -- and won -- one of the albums up for sale, and informed heritage museum executive director Cassandra Vivian that there were three more up for sale.
Vivian acquired the photo albums for the museum, and Wilkins says he plans to donate the one he bought to the museum as well.
While many of the photos show Parente with other political dignitaries, there are others that show him in lighter moments at places such as the Twin Coaches, dinners and banquets, and with his family.
Wilkins said he gave a family photo in his album to a Parente family member.
But what makes the albums even more interesting is their origin. The auction site for the albums only states they came from an estate in Pittsburgh.
"There are some really wonderful photos in here taken by someone obviously close to Hugo Parente or maybe a photographer," Vivian said.
Vivian said the albums enhance the museum because Parente is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the city. He was mayor for 26 years at the height of Monessen's prosperity and heyday of the booming steel mill years.
Parente died in office on Oct. 15, 1971, during his seventh term. His wife, Adeline, just died on Dec. 29. At the time of Parente's death, he was the longest-serving mayor in Pennsylvania.
Vivian said they are in the process of identifying all of the people in the pictures, but could use some help. They are asking for the public's help to identify the people and events of the images.
"Also, if they have any Parente memorabilia, like campaign buttons, posters or objects, we would love to have them, or copy them," Vivian said.
For more information about the Monessen Heritage Museum, call 724-684-8460.
