Historical and Cultural Society asks Clay County to maintain 2027 funding after reporting 25,000 museum visits in 2026

Laura Ford, executive director of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, presented the group's 2026 results and asked the county to maintain the same level of support in 2027 that the society received in 2026.

Ford told the board the society welcomed nearly 25,000 visitors in 2026, reached about 1,500 people through community outreach, had more than one million social-media views, and logged a donations line that the society counts as 48 discrete donations in its records. She described rotating exhibits, school tours, and outreach programs across the county and said those activities support local tourism and education.

Ford requested that county funding remain level for 2027. "Last year we received $219,235 from the county. We could not be more grateful for that support," Ford said, and explained that those funds pay staff salaries, support reduced student admission ($2 per Clay County student), and subsidize outreach.

Commissioners thanked Ford and asked operational questions. Commissioner Kavanagh asked whether the society would need to draw on reserves in 2027; Ford said the organization had moved about $500,000 to an endowment and held roughly $260,000 in additional reserves. Board members also asked about membership tiers and how residents can sign up; Ford said individual membership starts at $40 and higher levels offer additional benefits (e.g., an ASTC membership at the $125 level).

Several commissioners praised the society's outreach and encouraged residents to become members. No board action was taken at the meeting; commissioners said the request would be considered as part of the county’s upcoming budget process.

Article sources: presentation and Q&A with Laura Ford, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County executive director, and subsequent commissioner questions.