By AMANDA RUPP
ECHS
This fall, the Ellis County Historical Society was able to finish the remodel of the office portion of the basement in their main brick building.
An anonymous donation of $25,000 jump started the project in June with the goal of returning the staff back in the building by Nov. 1.
A generous unsolicited gift in September from the Beach-Edwards Family Foundation of $5,000 was added to the budget for improvements.
Even though the foundation and board are now located in the Kansas City area, the Beach-Edwards Family Foundation has been following the building struggles of the society and their board has been active in offering financial gifts towards relocating or renovating the museum for the past few years.
Offering unsolicited gifts of $5,000, $1,000 and most recently in September of 2022 another $5,000.
Amanda Rupp, ECHS Executive Director, says “the Beach family has strong ties to Ellis County and ECHS is honored that they share in our goal to Save Our Past’s Future. We are grateful for their dedication to this community that the family was so instrumental in, and to see that the society rebuilds to displays the stories of the peoples here.”