Thursday’s Business After Hours was a lively affair — even with the “ghosts” in the building. The History Museum of Hood River County hosted an event attended by nearly 200 people, who all heard the good news: The museum and its partners have completed the land donation and trade that will make possible the creation of a new building to house the museum and visitors center, with enough room to greet visitors and introduce them to Hood River County, past and present. The center will be located on the waterfront on Riverside Drive near the north end of Second Street.

The ghosts, by the way, were actors portraying specters, all in good fun. Gabriella Whitehead and Elaine Johnson stood stock still or wordlessly moved through the building as Chamber members and visitors talked, enjoyed refreshments and examined new and existing exhibits at the museum. The “ghosts” were a tip to the past, and a museum fund-raiser, this fall’s “Cemetery Tales” drama, in which actors will portray the lives of people buried in Idlewilde Cemetery.

But Thursday the museum was all about the future, as the announcement was made about the new museum site by Connie Nice, museum coordinator.

What’s exciting about the project is the partnership between the Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Hood River and the museum (which is operated by Hood River County).

All the parties have expended plenty of time and energy toward completing a donation and land trade deal involving the Port and land owners Jensen and Dave Ryan.

What lies ahead is the hard work of planning the facility and raising the money, but the main legal and real estate obstacles appear to be in the past.

Kudos to all involved in this project, which will be a resource for residents and visitors alike on a waterfront area that will greatly evolve in the next few years. Watch the Hood River News for updates on how to get involved in helping make the museum visitor center complex become the “gateway” to Hood River.