DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MEETING – JULY 11, 2004

A meeting of the Douglas County Historical Society general membership was called to order by Chairman Jerry Niebaum at 2:30 pm in Watkins Community Museum. Niebaum introduced the Board members attending and director of the Museum, Rebecca Phipps.

Niebaum noted that the Society’s most valuable artifact is the Watkins Community Museum building. Also that Allen Press provide valuable storage space for larger items free of charge. The Society is looking for creative ways to fund any expansions in the near future. A donation of $10,000 had been received this past Friday.

The Museum has several lectures planned for the Civil War on the Western Frontier days in August. It will also have an entry in the sesquicentennial parade on September 18. The Society is planning four fund raising benefits to be held within the next year. The events are 1) a Halloween movie on October 31, 2) a scavenger hunt, 3) a New Year’s Eve gala and 4) a road rally.

The annual meeting for the Society will be held on November 9 at the Dole Institute of Public Policy. Niebaum noted that currently the by-laws that call for eighteen board members and the Constitution that calls for fifteen board members are in conflict, so a decision will need to be made on how many board members to have. New Board members will be elected on November 9 and any suggestions for nominees should be given to Martha Harris, nomination committee chair.

There was a question from the audience about expansion of the Museum and Niebaum explained that the Board is exploring options, but there is nothing in the works currently. There was also a question as to what budget requests were made to the County. Niebaum responded that the county budget request included a half year salary for the fund developer, $25,000 for restroom remodeling, and a 7% increase in the base budget. The County has been very supportive in the Society’s efforts to improve the Museum. The concern was expressed that the Museum should have had more programs included with Chautauqua events. Niebaum explained that that was a project sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council and the Lawrence Visitors Center.

Pennie VonAchen encouraged everyone to assist with the fund-raising benefits.

Meeting was adjourned at 2:50. A re-enactment of the life of Will Rogers followed the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Johnston

Secretary