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Douglas County Historical Society wins preservation grant and plans archive renovation
Summary
The Douglas County Historical Society described collections, public programs and a newly awarded matching preservation grant that will fund a major archive‑center renovation and building restoration.
Thomas Neil, executive director of the Douglas County Historical Society, told the County Board the society manages the Crook House Museum and an archives center that holds the county’s historical records, including marriage records dating to 1856.
Neil said the society operates the Crook House Museum (open seven days a week) and an archives center on the Metropolitan Community College campus. The archives handle research requests, photo and genealogy inquiries and public programming such as monthly lectures and school visits. The society reported about 2,000 museum visitors annually and roughly 30 online research requests per month.
Neil told the board the organization recently secured a matching “Saving Our Treasures” grant through the National Park Service; combined with matching funds from the Metropolitan Community College Foundation the award will total just over $1 million to renovate and stabilize the archive center. The society said the renovation work will require emptying the archive building and completing a top‑to‑bottom restoration over an aggressive 16‑month schedule.
Current staffing includes three full‑time positions, two part‑time positions and several volunteers; the society reported an anticipated 2026 budget near $450,000 and said Douglas County contributes about $108,000 to that budget. Board members asked about climate control and preservation needs; Neil and staff described plans to digitize paper records, expand school programming, and use Metro Community College interns from library sciences and horticulture programs to assist with archives and the Crook House grounds.
Commissioners welcomed the grant news and pledged support for preservation efforts; staff noted the 2029 sesquicentennial of Chief Standing Bear’s trial and increased public interest tied to a forthcoming film and anniversary programming.
