Submitted
The Ellis County Historical Society will host an open house on its main museum campus from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. This will make a great stop on your art walk stroll, the building sits at the corner of Seventh and Main streets.
The society had to close the main museum gallery space and move the majority of the archives to a temporary location for the past 18 plus months due to aging building damage.
Currently efforts are being made to make the large usable space inside the brick building into storage areas for the large collections that are being displaced from other areas.
The society’s board is inviting the public to see that magnitude of the challenges ahead along with a chance to discuss solutions in person. Please stop by for a peek behind the scenes, maybe even pick up a membership, sponsorship or volunteer form while you are there.
In 1971 the Ellis County community incorporated the non-profit entity of its own Ellis County Historical Society as a public trust for the safe keeping, preservation and telling of the proud heritage to residents, researchers and tourists.
During the years, the society has asked thousands of people to commit their treasures to its care. They have given the society an impressive collection of historical artifacts, documents, recordings and photos valued at more than $1 million.
As the society celebrates its 50th anniversary, it stands at a critical crossroad. There are only two directions at this junction. One path is a way forward and a new beginning. The second option is to close its doors permanently to the detriment of Hays and surrounding communities in Western Kansas.
"We will continue to seek new and better forms of private fundraising, including new grant applications as possible. Along with private donations ECHS is in dire need of significant public funding from the City of Hays and Ellis County," the society said in a news release.
"We have a passion to keep ECHS viable for our community. Over the past year we have made serious plans and applied a maximum amount of elbow grease through the donation of many hours of time from our generous volunteers. Much is needed. We are ready and willing!"