Stanely Hicks dulcimer

Hello,  I'm seeking some advice. I found this rather beat-up old dulcimer at a local thrift store last week here in Western, North Carolina. There was no case or information about it and it was shoved between a lot of glassware:)  It has wooden tuning pegs and the tag inside the dulcimer said: Stanley Hicks, Vilas, North Carolina. Carved/ stamped on the back of the peghead was "STH 9 -7-85".  I recognize this gentleman from the FoxFire books which I love and I believe he was quite a character and mountain treasure.  Anyway, I would like to have this instrument repaired so that I can play it but I'm not sure if that is a good idea since it may have some special cultural history. The tail block is messed up and my husband says it "looks like a dog chewed on it.:) It looks to me like something on the tail was broken off. Any suggestions on what I should do?  Your help is appreciated.