PORT BYRON - Progress on making the Erie Canal a more attractive tourist destination has largely fizzled over the past 10 years, but an organization along the historic route is determined to still keep its history intact.

The Lock 52 Historical Society held a fundraising dinner in Port Byron, with all of the proceeds going to the ongoing renovation of the society's home at 73 Pine Street.

Some rooms at 73 Pine need ceiling repairs as sections have started to sag. Another priority is to get the building better insulated for tough northern Cayuga County winters, and to get the basement finished off as parts of the walls are crumbling and the space needs to be kept free of too much moisture.

This month, the Lock 52 Historical Society recently obtained not-for-profit status and that will allow the organization to apply for more grants. This is welcome news for Dorothy "Chick" Walker, who said the society is now looking into finding someone to help them through the grant-writing process.

But, until the, the old-fashioned way of raising money will have to do. This summer, the society sold baked goods during the Port Byron Farmers Market held every Wednesday afternoon from July to October at Schasel Park on Route 31.

"Some times we did quite well. Another times, it was just mediocre," said Walker, who grew up about a mile-and-a-half north of the village.

Penny Helzer has been Port Byron's historian for the past 10 years. Helzer keeps her Port Byron-related items at her store, Penny's Country Square, in the village.

"They have some very nice displays" at 73 Pine, said Helzer.

Helzer is bothered that more people do not volunteer to help with organizations such as the Lock 52 Historical Society.

She was very involved with Port Byron's Canal Days, which had to fold in 2004 due to a lack of volunteers. It had been a summer event for 11 years.

Walker replaced her mother, Betty Smith, as president of the Lock 52 Historical Society four years ago.

Now a trustee, Smith agrees that encouraging others to volunteer is challenging.

"Trying to get them interested is the biggest thing," Smith said. "But they seem to be coming around a littler better lately, maybe because we're letting it out that we need these things and people are getting so they realize it."

Turnout at the society's last monthly meeting, featuring a presentation on the historic Seward House in Auburn, was well attended, Smith said.

"We do have a lot of history here. We have a military room," said Smith. "We have a lot to offer."