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Ellis County Historical Society outlines multi-phase museum upgrades, seeks grants for $600,000 phase
Summary
Amanda Rupp reported that the Ellis County Historical Society has completed phase 1 of a Victoria building renovation and is seeking funding to finish phase 2 (estimated about $600,000); the society plans programming and a year-long sesquicentennial celebration in 2026–2027.
Amanda Rupp, representing the Ellis County Historical Society, updated the commission on Oct. 14 about museum renovations, fundraising and a year-long sesquicentennial calendar of events.
Rupp said the upstairs renovation in Victoria (phase 1) is complete and that phase 2—interior exhibit work—will cost “about $600,000.” She said the society has “a little over half of that right now” and is seeking local foundation grants to cover the remainder. Rupp told commissioners the building will be usable by next summer even as exhibit work continues and that full project completion is targeted by January 2027.
Why it matters: the society expects the renovated space to draw tourists and host events tied to local history, including a Volga German sesquicentennial. Rupp said volunteers have contributed significant time: “the hours for Victoria for just the demo and stuff that we did, so far, just working on that building is over a thousand volunteer hours.”
Rupp reviewed planned public programming linked to the sesquicentennial, including village celebrations, cooking demonstrations, special exhibits at the county building and library, a bus tour of limestone quarries, and a week-long “coming home” celebration Aug. 1–9 that will coincide with the ASHGR convention and host international visitors.
The society also announced community uses of gallery space in the near term: the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting on Nov. 8 and a Hays Arts Council event on Oct. 23. Rupp invited commissioners and the public to volunteer and requested help publicizing events and supporting grant efforts.
No formal county action was requested during the update; Rupp said she will provide a formal annual report and volunteer-hour totals in December.
