Jackie Bartley is closer to seeing a longtime dream fulfilled.

The president of the Beech Island Historical Society has been a champion for an agricultural museum, which is one step closer to becoming a reality.

"The ribbon cutting is for the barn. It's not a museum yet," she said.

The ribbon-cutting for the renovated barn, which will house the agricultural museum, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday. The barn is at 144 Old Jackson Highway in Beech Island.

The museum has been in the works for several years. In 2005, the historical society received a $200,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to renovate the barn and make the organization's visitor center meet guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The 19th century barn and other property was donated to the society in 1991 by the heirs of society member J. George McElmurray.

Ms. Bartley said she will be writing additional grants for the creation of exhibits. There already are pieces that will be in the museum once complete.

She believes the introduction of a museum to the area will benefit the city's economy.

"It's an added attraction to Beech Island," she said. "A lot of people come by because of the Heritage Corridor."

Although the building is not at its full purpose yet, society officials are using the space to draw attention to the barn.

"We're going to have small events there," she said. That includes the Saturday Farmers market, which Ms. Bartley said is likely to become a regular event.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.