Houston County Historical Society updates museum projects, seeks volunteers and schoolhouse memories

Representatives of the Houston County Historical Society presented an annual update to the Houston County Board of Commissioners, describing building repairs, new exhibits and volunteer needs.

A society speaker said the group rebuilt the foundation of a Presbyterian church at the fairgrounds because the floor had been sagging. “We had to put a new foundation under it, which was expensive. But it had to be done or else it would just fall down,” the presenter said. The society also reported installing automatic doors at the research center and museum to improve accessibility and making sidewalk repairs to improve safety.

The society plans to dedicate a new museum addition this fall; the presenter said the organization traces its roots to 1949 (state centennial) and was reorganized in 1960, and that it will mark about 65 years since the society’s reorganization. The society asked for continued community support but did not request additional county funds at this meeting.

Janine Hosh, a museum director, described new and rotating exhibits planned for the fair, including displays on visiting big bands, vintage clothing from the 1950s and 1960s, and a paisley fabric exhibit. The museum will host a public tea during the fair with a $10 ticket and will present other new acquisitions.

The society emphasized volunteer needs and ongoing digitization efforts. Duane St. Mary leads a project to digitize paper files going back decades; the society asked for volunteers to help scan and index records. The presenters said about 20 regular volunteers support the museum year-round, with 60–65 people needed during the four days of fair operations to staff shifts.

The board thanked the society for the presentation. Commissioners and members of the public present praised the volunteers and the society’s outreach to researchers and visitors. The society said it will continue collecting photographs and memories for a county-wide “country school” project; presenters said there were once about 105 country schools in the county and that they are collecting stories and photos from former students and families.

Why it matters: the Historical Society preserves local heritage, supports researchers, and runs public-facing exhibits and events that attract visitors to county fairs and museums. The society’s projects—building stabilization, accessibility upgrades and digitization—are aimed at protecting collections and improving public access.