Zelienople Historical Society volunteers Wendy Boffo (left) and Jan Maharg look at paint samples during renovations at the Passavant House. Historical Society members hope to reopen in April.

Pass by the Passavant House Museum in Zelienople, and there may be a bustle of activity just through the dining room windows.

No, the Zelienople Historical Society isn't secretly giving in-person tours in the temporarily closed building at 243 S Main St, nor is the house being ransacked.

Instead, the group is in the midst of restorations that it hopes will better present the museum's artifacts to guests.

Volunteers are rearranging the displays, so that more important artifacts are showcased. Original pictures and documents are being reframed to help better preserve the artifacts. New signs will help tell the story of the borough and its founding and most important families.

The update also will include new paint and fabrics to give the Passavant House a more-refined look.Sue Casker, the historical society's president, said she hopes the renovation will better engage visitors by unfolding the story of early Zelienople and the Passavant family in a slightly different way when the museum reopens.The Passavant House is one of the oldest houses in Zelienople, having been built in 1808; the Buhl House, the only older house in the borough, was built in 1805 and is also operated by the historical society. Passavant House is expected to reopen in early spring after the project is completed.For now, the Buhl House Museum is still open by appointment for tours.

Zelienople Historical Society volunteers Wendy Boffo, left, and Jan Maharg look at paint samples during renovations at the Passavant House. Historical Society members hope to reopen in April.