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Louisa Historical Society asks board to restore outside-agency funding amid tourism and archival work
Summary
Louisa Historical Society leaders asked the Board of Supervisors to restore county funding after last year’s reduction; supervisors debated using transient occupancy tax (TOT) tourism funds and noted a $19,000 one‑time grant previously approved by the county’s tourism process.
Bernard Fleming, president of the Louisa Historical Society, and Caitlin (executive director) asked the Louisa County Board of Supervisors for restoration of county outside-agency funding reduced in the current fiscal year.
Fleming said the society received $42,500 two years ago, was reduced to $5,000 in the most recent county allocation and is requesting $39,000 for the coming fiscal year to cover visitor-center staffing, marketing, event support for the society’s annual Heritage Day, and maintenance of historic buildings in the museum collection. “We are asking that the board of supervisors show that you value this organization by funding our request,” Fleming said.
Caitlin described visitor-center duties that include staffing a front desk, distributing brochures and coordinating with regional visitor centers. She said the museum had roughly 2,500 visitors last year and highlighted genealogy programs, an upcoming digitized newspaper exhibit and outreach that can bring tourism dollars to local restaurants and lodging.
Supervisors discussed whether some or all of the society’s request could be paid from transient occupancy tax (TOT) funds administered through the county’s Tourism Advisory Committee, which the board and supervisors described as prioritizing one‑time tourism or event expenses rather than ongoing operating personnel costs. One supervisor noted the committee had allocated $19,000 in a Jan. 6 action for signage, map integration and related tourism items and that $122,057 remained in the committee’s not-for-profit partnership grants budget.
Board members urged the historical society to diversify revenue — through memberships, business sponsorships, events and merchandise — even as several supervisors expressed support for additional county assistance. Supervisors also asked staff to clarify available TOT funds and eligibility rules; county staff said they would send remaining-balance information on request.
No final appropriation was made at the workshop. Supervisors said they would consider the society’s request during the formal budget process and follow up with staff to clarify TOT guidelines and remaining funds.
