Folks in Ripon have a chance to step up to help save a piece of history.

John Mangelos of the Historical Museum Commission is seeking donations for several projects, including archival boxes for 102 years of the Ripon Record newspaper coupled with an archival retrieval plan that calls  for converting those old publications and microfilm into a Microsoft Word Document for online access.

The latter is expected to come at a steep price estimated at $15,000 to $20,000.

Mangelos led the way for the old city hall at 311 First St. to not only save the structure from demolition but refurbished it into the Veteran’s Memorial Museum and Memorial Wall.

Along the way, he was able to encourage volunteers and donors from the community – included were local businesses and developers – to contribute to the project.

On Tuesday, Mangelos presented his threefold plan – the other is painting the museum – to the Ripon City Council.

Total cost is about $27,500 but would be handled through a series fundraisers. “My biggest concern has been that the city’s budget is strapped,” he said.

By donating, local businesses could earn the naming rights as the sponsor to the archival retrieval plan or on the archival boxes.

No. 1 on the list is the painting of the museum. Cost for the entire project – power washing, sealing, and painting of the original colors that’s already in place – is $6,000. Mangelos hopes to get the work going once the weather gets better.

The archival boxes will be used to store original copies of the Ripon Record newspapers dating back to 1912 to the present. Boxes are acid-free and special ordered while sealing and storing the publication.

Cost is $6,500 or $65 per box.

The purpose of the Historical Museum Commission is to plan and, if necessary, organize, manage, direct and supervise those facilities and programs associated with the Ripon Historical Museum.

For more information, log on to the city website at www.cityofripon.org.