News release
The business offices of the Ellis County Historical Society have moved. Through a collaboration with and generous donation from the Schmidt Foundation, ECHS has set up new office space in Eagle Plaza.
A selection of our most-used archive collections are at Eagle Plaza and the remaining reference materials and records can be brought to the research room at the new office upon request. Anyone looking to purchase local history or genealogy materials can stop in during business hours and look through our bookstore in person.
Robert and Patricia Schmidt were longtime supporters of ECHS. Gary Shorman, Schmidt Foundation president, approached the ECHS board of directors in the fall. He commended our efforts this past year and acknowledged the need for sound ground on which to regroup and vigorously plan for the future.
“This new space will give ECHS a new look and the basis for a bright future," Shorman said.
Our main campus is full of artifacts relocated from offsite storage. The Schmidt Foundation’s offer is a good opportunity to utilize a different space to temporarily call our own. Shorman expressed the Schmidt Foundation’s pride in the rich history of the area. He is excited to see the fruition of new blood to the society in it’s staff and board.
The office is located in the most north-west building in the Eagle Plaza complex, address 1011 W. 27th, Ste. F1. We are the door directly west of the gazebo.
Everyone is welcome to stop in for research, make purchases or just to chat. Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:30pm – 3:00 pm. Our small staff divides time at our various locations so call ahead outside of posted business hours. Archival Assistant Betty MacDonald is available remotely to help with county or genealogy research. Please call 785-628-2624 for an appointment.
We have made great strides in the last 10 months, but much work is still to be done. Goals for 2022 include upgrading our computer systems and the establishment of an army of volunteers. Volunteers are needed to begin accessioning years of backlogged material and cataloging all items into a web-based Past Perfect Museum software.
Most important, the ECHS strategic planning committee is to set a direction for the museum gallery space and the means to move towards it. The board is excited to revive the community’s interest and to grow our member and sponsorship numbers to that of the first decades of our operations. Together we can Save Our Past’s Future.
Submitted