To raise funds, the Historical Society paired an open house of the old D&H station with Amtrack's National Train Day on Saturday.

"People love trains," said Historical Society President Geri Favreau. "When Amtrak came through here (today), the building emptied out."

Nearly 75 people came to visit during the day-long event and were treated to a look inside the station, along with a photo exhibit of the numerous railway companies that had traveled through Rouses Point.

"At least one (person) in every family has a part in this history," said Rouses Point Village Historian Donna Racine. "History has walked in and out of this building."

Some of the visitors remembered being enamored with life near the tracks, such as Village Mayor George Rivers.

"When I was a kid, I used to play around in here. It was always warm," Rivers said. "Of course, we'd always get booted out."

In contrast, the Historical Society is trying to draw more people in. Arts group Norte Maar has been trying to help.

Director Jason Andrew, a visual artist, and President Julia Gleich, of the London-based Gleich Dances Contemporary Ballet, have brought five summer dance concerts to Rouses Point to benefit the Historical Society.

"I've been obsessed with the society's work to renovate the train station," Andrew said.

As an orchestrator of the annual event, Norte Maar has gathered dancers from New York City, London and the Northern Tier of New York.

"It's an interesting town in incubation," Andrew said of Rouses Point. "I think the community has been on the cusp of a revival. We have awesome support from the village."

It's that support that the Historical Society is hoping will carry over so the building can be saved beyond its present condition.

"Anybody that has $1 million that they want to donate, we'll take it," said Rivers, laughing.