Roland Historical Society details repairs, accessibility work and outreach using Story County funds
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Summary
Jan Stoll of the Roland Historical Society told Story County supervisors on Feb. 5 that county funds were used for gutter and drainage repairs, a new front deck and ramp repairs, lighting and basement display upgrades, and that the society is pursuing a painting grant; county funding is distributed evenly and remains small.
At a Feb. 5, 2026 Story County budget work session, Jan Stoll of the Roland Historical Society summarized how the group used county funds to repair building systems, improve visitor access and expand exhibit space.
Stoll told supervisors that the society used county money to hire a contractor to clean and filter gutters and to install drainage work to prevent water from seeping into the museum basement. "We have used your funds to help," Stoll said, adding that the contractor will be retained for ongoing work because many volunteers cannot safely climb steep roofs.
The society also replaced a front deck (originally installed in 1981) and repaired a deteriorating ramp; Stoll said the changes included narrower steps to ease access for older visitors, though she noted the museum is "not handicap" accessible in all respects. Stoll described other improvements funded in prior years, including upgraded lighting and displays in an annex and regular pest-control visits.
Looking ahead, Stoll said the society plans to renovate the museum basement to increase display space by installing white pegboard and creating small themed "pods" for farm tools, medical artifacts and other collections. She said the group pursued a grant through the Story County Community Foundation to have the museum painted in spring and left photographs of moisture damage with county staff for consideration.
Stoll also described collections and outreach work: the society moved artifacts from an attic into temporary apartment storage to sort and rehabilitate items, and the arrangement allows display of a large historic buggy during outdoor events. The society runs several events—Stoll said they typically hold a June barbecue and had a strong presence at Roland Days—and is trying to align museum offerings with school curriculum to boost student visits.
County staff discussed how funds are allocated. "The money gets distributed evenly between the 12 historical societies in Story County," said Lisa Barclay, assistant county auditor. Barclay said it has been "many years that all of them have gotten $37.50 a society," underscoring how modest the annual payment is.
Stoll opened her remarks by noting the recent passing of a long-serving society leader, saying Bob Higgins "passed away last May" and thanking the Higgins family for their role in establishing the one-room school museum. She told supervisors she was not seeking a special funding amount at the meeting and offered to leave written materials and photos with county staff for follow-up.
No formal motions or votes were taken on the society's report during the session; staff and supervisors received the materials and discussed operational context and funding distribution.
The county work session continued after the presentation; Stoll's materials were left with county staff for further review.
