Watkins Museum Fun Run for History - August 16, 2008
Click here for registration form

The Douglas County Historical Society is responsible for the operation, preservation and
development of collections in the Watkins Community Museum of History.
The Douglas County Historical Society is a private non-profit organization with a mission
to collect and preserve historical materials of Douglas County, Kansas,
to interpret local history, and to encourage research.

State Tax Credits

...can benefit you and preserve an historic community facility. Consider a donation to the Watkins Community Museum!

Questions and Answers about Tax Credits

• What is a tax credit? In 2007 the Kansas State Legislature established a new program providing fundraising incentives for Historic Buildings in Kansas. Each year the Kansas Department of Revenue sets aside $200,000 in tax credits to be awarded to Partnership Historic Sites. The Watkins Community Museum of History is a Partnership Historic Site. A tax credit is different than a tax deduction. A deduction is is taken from your earned income and causes you to pay a lower amount of taxes. A credit is taken of off the income taxes you owe to the state government. The Kansas program is also refundable which means that if you are owed a refund the credit will be added to your refund. You don't need to have a state tax liability!


• Give me an example. Ok, if, for example, when you figure your state taxes, taking all your normal deductions, the bottom line says you owe $3000. If you had $2000 in tax credits, you would only owe $1000 in taxes.
  
  Another example: If you are due a refund of $100 and have earned a $500 tax credit (by donating $1000), you will receive $600 from the State of Kansas.


• What will my donation be used for? The State Historical Society granted $10,000 of tax credits to the Douglas County Historical Society. This means that our fund raising goal is $20,000. The Museum has an operating budget that is supported by memberships, donations and tax payer support via the Douglas County Commission. The budget is not sufficien tfor maintenance and capital projects for the Watkins Bank building. And funds raised through the tax credit program will enable the museum to improve security, visitor safety and access to and preservation of the collections and the building. Specific projects include new carpeting for the community room, upgrade lighting in the hallways and stairwells, HVAC repairs, new treads on the stairs, shelving for the collection area, upgrade of building bathrooms, and rear building entrance security.


• When are donations eligible for the tax credits? The credits may be given in exchange for donations made to the Museum during the time period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.


• Who do I contact to make a donation or for more information? You can contact Phyllis Tiffany, Chair, Douglas County Historical Society or Mike Wildgen, Interim Director at 785.841.4109 or come by the Watkins Museum Tuesday-Friday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Watkins Community Museum of History Short and Long range plans.