Ellis County Historical Society shows restored museum, asks commission for letters of support on grants

Amanda Rupp, director of the Ellis County Historical Society, told the Ellis County Commission on Feb. 18 that restoration of the organization’s red brick museum building in Hays is complete and that the group is shifting to exhibit design and programming.

Rupp said the museum’s Brick‑by‑Brick restoration finished at a cost lower than earlier 2016 estimates and that volunteers contributed roughly 1,500 hours last year. “We had predicted a $22,000 or $28,000 deficit for the year. … We came in with only a $5,000 deficit at the end of the year,” Rupp said, crediting volunteers and careful budgeting.

Rupp outlined 2025 goals including a third annual trivia night, a Pioneer Day program for third graders, a traveling exhibit from the Smoky Hill Museum scheduled for June–September, textile conservation work planned for fall, and a five‑year strategic plan. She said the Victoria cultural site (a separate facility) has raised about $270,000 in private donations so far, including about $90,000 from donors outside Ellis County.

Rupp asked the commission for letters of support for two grant applications: a Kansas tourism grant (applications due about April 1, with awards up to $100,000) for the Victoria site and a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant for exhibit cabinetry and production at the Hays building. Commissioner Michael Burgett said he did not anticipate problems providing letters of support.

Why this matters: The Historical Society operates a public museum that is free to visitors in tourist season and provides educational programming for local students. The society’s request for letters of support could affect grant competitiveness.

Ending: Commissioners offered verbal support for Rupp’s requests and thanked volunteers; Rupp said she will follow up with formal grant materials.