Raleigh County Historical Museum welcomes Ben Cole as new administrator

The Riley County Commission meeting on July 14, 2025, featured significant updates from the Riley County Historical Museum, highlighting new staff appointments, community engagement efforts, and ongoing projects.

Catherine Hensler, the museum's director, introduced Ben Cole as the new administrator of the Riley County Historical Society, a position funded by the society itself. Hensler expressed gratitude for Cole's swift integration into the team, which aims to enhance the museum's operations and outreach.

In June 2025, the museum engaged with 532 individuals through various programs, with a record attendance of 10,439 in May. This surge was attributed to successful outreach initiatives, including monthly fireside chats and a new temporary exhibit titled "Escape from Storage," which showcases previously unseen items from the museum's collection.

The museum has resumed accepting donations after lifting a moratorium, implementing a more strategic approach to collections. In June, 50 new objects were added, while a significant deaccession of 897 books was approved to streamline the library's offerings. The library's organization has improved, with plans for better shelving and accessibility.

Hensler also reported on the museum's collaboration with community service workers, who contributed valuable volunteer hours to maintain the museum's facilities. The meeting concluded with updates on new interns and the historical society's upcoming board retreat, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to community involvement and historical preservation.