There's been a lot of talk about the future of McKees Rocks lately, with a makeover in progress at McKees Rocks plaza and plans for a revamped downtown. But that's no reason to forget the past, and the newly minted McKees Rocks Historical Society is gearing up to preserve those memories.

The society held its first meeting Dec. 4, drawing 11 people, including a University of Pittsburgh history professor and a woman planning a book on McKees Rocks history, according to co-organizer Sandy Saban.

"There was such a need for something like this," Ms. Saban said. "When these people came, they just got so caught up in it."

The meeting, at Rocky's II on Island Avenue, was supposed to end at 8 p.m., but Ms. Saban said it was after 9 when she left and people were still talking.

"None of the them even knew each other," she said. "They found out they had all been bidding against each other for some post cards from McKees Rocks history."

The society is planning to have an organizational meeting Jan. 15, then regularly gather from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday each month at Rocky's II.

The plan is to collect pictures and other material and eventually find a display space -- perhaps in the entry way for the planned Father Regis Ryan Cultural Arts Center on Chartiers Avenue.

Ms. Saban said the plan is to have a speaker every other month.