Frank Bridges' idea was so good, he is expanding it.

Bridges undertook it to create a preforming arts archives.

"When we first started, we didn't think of all the arts that could be involved," he said. "Now we've had interest expressed from the areas of music, dance and even graphic arts. So, we decided to welcome items representing all the arts."

The Mower County Historical Society has established the Mower County Performing Arts Archives.

The effort celebrates all performing arts in Mower County and seeks items to commemorate individual and group efforts.

This marks the first such effort of its kind.

Organizers encourage anyone connected with the performing arts in Mower County to submit any memorabilia for consideration.

Any individual, group or organization in Mower County is invited to submit materials related to performing arts in the county.

Bridges, a member of the Historical Society, is coordinating the effort to collect items for the new Performing Arts Archives.

The items may be sent or delivered to Theatre Archives, Mower County Historical Center, P.O. Box 804, Austin, MN 55912.

The Mower County Historical Center is located at the Mower County Fairgrounds in southwest Austin.

The Historical Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is an admission fee and Shirley DeYoung is the director.

For more information, call the Historical Center at 437-6082 or Bridges at 433-3751.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com