NORWICH – Like many 11-year-olds, John Antonowicz doesn’t want the summer to end and school to begin.

Not because he’d rather be having fun than learning. On the contrary. It’s because he’s devoted his break to doing both – and teaching others, too.

Antonowicz, of Norwich, is one of three youth volunteers at the Chenango County Historical Society Museum on Rexford Street in Norwich, where he spends around 21 hours a week conducting research and restoring exhibits. The junior curator/historian got the job after taking a trip to the museum with his grandmother.

“I’m interested old in industries in the area,” Antonowicz said. “I went to the museum and they didn’t have any exhibits on the industries that had a significant impact on the area.”

After talking with county Historian Dale Storms, museum officials asked John if he’d like to officially explore the subject with them. Six weeks later, W.H. Dunne, The Norwich Pharmacal Company, Maydole Hammer, and the Berglas toilet seat factory are four of the 24 one-time Norwich manufacturers Antonowicz has compiled information on – and can recite from memory, rattling names, dates and important highlights in each company’s history.

“Because of what I’m doing,” he said, “maybe more people will know what industries were important in helping Chenango County be what it is now.”

Working at the museum along with Antonowicz is Kati Williams, 13, and Ester Clemens, 12, Plymouth, who are volunteering through “The Place,” in Norwich.

“Diane Hamblin, the museum’s educator, has them doing some wonderful things,” said Storms. “They’re all really nice kids. They’re working like mad.”

The crew has been cleaning, restoring and taking on projects the regular staff hasn’t had time to do.

Armed with maps, timelines, and documents, Antonowicz’s materials will likely prove helpful to local history buffs like Alan Estus, whose interest is in Bennett Ireland Machine and Foundry, formerly of State Street.

“I’m impressed, not only that he’s so young, but by the quality of his work,” said Estus, a Sherburne resident.

Estus and Antonowicz will be working together in the next couple weeks reviewing old insurance maps to learn more about structural changes the old Ireland building may have underwent between 1907 and 1942.