The work of a decade was halted in scandal when Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli investigated the leadership and practices of the National Museum of Industrial History in 2012. But after nearly three years of uncertainty the Southside's East Second Street site has received its first installation and completed three-fourths of its necessary refurbishment.

Board chairman, interim president and CEO Charles Marcon said recently the legal troubles and $800,000 Phase 3 of the project are now in the rear-view, culminating in new windows, exterior walls, first floor concrete surfacing (including plumbing and radiant heating) and foundation work.

By May 1 Marcon expects the $4.5 million Phase 4 to begin. This will include mechanical, electrical and interior walls as well as countless small final preparations for the coming exhibits. He said the money comes from a $3 million anonymous donor, grants, board member pledges and probable funds from the city's Tax Incentive Finance zone.

Marcon said funding will be available until the site opens for visitors next spring. "Because of the investigation, our fundraising was curtailed from April 2012 through January 2015. We'll have to actively solicit funds like every other museum in America."