The Atlas Cement Memorial Museum hosted more than 3,466 visitors 2012.

This is believed to be the largest group of people visiting in the museum's history, it was announced at the annual meeting of the Atlas Cement Memorial Trust Dec. 3.

Based in a wing at the municipal building on Laubach Avenue, the museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Its original artifacts include items from cement mills in the region, most notably the former Atlas Universal Cement Company in Northampton.

Larry Oberly, secretary for the Trust, reported 553 people visited the museum or were part of tours that came to the museum. The educational tours attracted 814 students and teachers, bringing the number to 1,367 total visits.

"It must be noted that the total number of visitors is indeed larger than shown, as not everyone who comes to visit signs the guest book," Oberly said. "If all contacts are totaled, the museum has reached more than 3,466 in 2012."

All Northampton Area School District administrators visited the museum in a separate tour held for them by Curator Ed Pany.

Also heralded as "by far, the greatest event of the year," a delegation of Chinese cement and mining museum directors visited the museum. The Chinese delegation was greeted by Pany, Oberly, NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik, Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock and Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra.

Last month the museum also hosted a Spanish group that now runs Keystone Cement Company in East Allen Township.

The museum's log recorded visitors this year from Austria, Zambia, Spain, China and Serbia. Stateside, visitors came from Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, Washington, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Kansas and Pennsylvania.

Museum officers participated in three days of special programming with the Atlas Universals seventh-grade learning team at the Northampton Area Middle school.

The museum this year added new artifacts and equipment to its collection, including a Lafarge explosive detector, Lone Star Cement bag, Atlas beer bottle from Panama, Keystone Cement photos, Keystone Cement sign, Coplay Cement Co. etching, Chinese folk art/flag/necklace and a Northampton & Bath Railroad pin.

A photographic inventory is being made and will be backed up in multiple locations. A description of the items is being completed and two software applications will enable the museum to view items with pertinent information. The museum continues to receive financial support from the remaining cement companies in the region. Although the economy has put a strain on their operations, their continued help allows the museum to invite guests to tour for free.

The museum also participated in the borough's Jack Frost Parade which paid tribute to the remaining cement plants and their workers.

The museum's windows were treated to an upgrade with ultra-violet light protection to thwart the effects of repeated exposure to sunlight.

The museum honors cement workers from area cement mills. The honorees are published in local newspapers and each honoree receives a framed copy of the article and a plaque.