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Riley County Museum reopens after exhibit changeover; new curator introduced and 12 objects deaccessioned
Summary
Museum director reported reopening after a six-week closure for exhibit installation and renovations, introduced new curator Carly Farren, and said the Historical Society approved deaccessioning 12 objects removed from the collection.
Catherine Hensler, director of the Riley County Museum, updated commissioners on Jan. and Feb. operations and the site’s recent exhibit reopening.
Hensler said the museum closed for about six weeks for an exhibit changeout and preservation work and reopened to the public on Saturday, Feb. 8. She thanked staff, volunteers and Public Works for assistance with lighting, painting and moving exhibits. The museum reported 73 visitors in January and stronger attendance at the members’ opening (119) and reopening day (31), though overall January visitation reflected the temporary closure and winter weather.
Hensler introduced Carly Farren as the museum’s new curator of archives and library. Farren starts after a national and international applicant pool; Hensler said the curator search began in August and the position follows the retirement of the museum’s longtime curator, Linda Glasgow.
On collections, Hensler said the museum processed five backlog collections (16 objects) and, following review by the museum committee and the Riley County Historical Society board, deaccessioned 12 objects that did not meet collections criteria. She said the objects included large items such as pianos, refrigeration units and farming implements; the museum first attempts to contact donors and then offers items to other institutions rather than disposing of them.
Facilities work during closure included replacement of track lighting fixtures in the East Gallery with Public Works assistance and repainting and repairs to the museum’s front portico funded by the Riley County Historical Society. Hensler said some permanent floor wax stains remain from modular exhibit units and that staff plan to cover affected areas with rugs or runners and may request additional floor work in the future.
Upcoming public programs include a Historic Preservation Summit on Feb. 26 at Union Hall and a March 11 fireside chat; Hensler noted field-trip season planning was beginning.
