Bonner County Historical Museum asks commissioners for larger 2026 contribution amid repairs, membership shortfall

Representatives of the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum asked the Bonner County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday for an increase in the county’s 2026 contribution from $25,000 to $46,000 to shore up finances and cover deferred maintenance.

Chuck Luman, a representative of the historical society, and Hannah Combs, executive director of the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum, presented a pamphlet outlining the society’s mission, a five-year strategic plan and a proposed 2026 budget. Luman said the organization faced “a very real possibility of closing our doors” because of deferred maintenance, reduced membership and limited fundraising.

The request comes as the museum reported membership income of about $13,000 in 2024 (up from roughly $11,000 the prior year) and budgeted $16,000 in membership revenue for 2026. Combs told commissioners the society expects to sustain about $16,000 in membership income in 2026 and plans a 20% year‑over‑year membership growth projection through 2030, but she described that goal as conservative.

Why it matters: Commissioners pressed the museum to show what changes it has already made to reduce reliance on county support and to provide documentation for fee increases, membership trends and…