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Historical society asks county to hold funding steady, cites 25,000 visitors and expanded outreach
Summary
Laura Ford, the new executive director of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, presented the society's 2026 accomplishments and asked the board to maintain county support at the 2026 level in next year's budget; she reported nearly 25,000 visitors, about 1,500 community outreach contacts, $219,235 in county support in 2026 and work toward a $500,000 endowment.
Laura Ford, executive director of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, presented the organization’s 2026 report and asked the Board of Commissioners to maintain county funding at 2026 levels for 2027. Ford told commissioners the society welcomed nearly 25,000 museum visitors in 2026, engaged roughly 1,500 people through outreach, and achieved more than one million views on social media.
"Last year, we received $219,235 from the county," Ford said, noting that those funds support staff positions including an archivist and collections manager and subsidize reduced admission for county students (the society has charged $2 per Clay County student for about 30 years). Ford described efforts to build an endowment and diversify revenue through gift-shop sales, improved marketing and paid programming; she said the society has moved about $500,000 into an endowment and maintains roughly $260,000 in reserves beyond that endowment.
Commissioners asked about reserves, membership and board composition; Ford said the society filled two board openings at its annual meeting and outlined membership levels starting at $40. Commissioners praised the society’s outreach and encouraged residents to visit and join. The budget request will be considered as the county crafts its 2027 spending plan.
