Deb: Thanks for the article. What is the membership fee for the Society,
I didn't see that mentioned.
Also, have the applied for grant money? I would think that there would
be a number of places to apply.
Rev. Hardt ohardt(a)triad.rr.com
On 12/16/2010 10:29 AM, Deb Beheler wrote:
This article was in the Logansport Pharos-Tribune today. Please
consider
membership and/or donations to the Cass County Historical Society and museum.
Debby Beheler, County Coordinator
Cass County INGenWeb Project
http://incass-inmiami.org/cass/
December 16, 2010
Future of Cass County history
Society seeks members to cover loss of funding.
by Denise Massie Pharos-Tribune Pharos-Tribune Thu Dec 16, 2010, 06:40 AM EST
Members of the Cass County Historical Society board of directors say they were
shocked and disappointed at news that the organization had been eliminated from
the county budget.
Board President Don Snyder said he simply thought, “Oh boy, we have a lot of
work ahead of us right away.”
Knowing that it was faced with a loss of county funding in two years, the
society had formed a committee of six members to discuss plans on how to end
its reliance on that support.
“Now, we are in kind of a panic,” Snyder said.
Thelma Conrad, Cass County Historical Society executive director, said the
museum needs the community’s help.
“I believe the Dentzel Carousel and the historical society are the two main
jewels in the crown,” she said.
According to Conrad, the museum is like other establishments in the community.
Some people may take it for granted and assume since it has always been around,
it will always be around.
“Every day, people stop in and say, ‘I’ve lived here my entire life, and this is
the first time I’ve been here,’” she said.
While the county’s allocation was about half of the society’s annual budget,
the remaining funds come from membership dues, private donations and book
sales, Conrad said.
Though the county had agreed to provide funding of $35,000 next year, the
county council voted to eliminate that allocation after learning from the state
that it needed to make $900,000 in budget cuts.
Members of the historical society’s executive committee met on Wednesday
afternoon to discuss what should be done and how quickly.
“If we don’t raise the money, the building will go into disrepair,” said
Snyder. “Like any other house in town that is not taken care of, it will fall
apart.”
The house was built in 1853, so it requires a lot of maintenance, Conrad said.
Snyder felt the best option was to start a membership drive.
“Let’s shoot for the last of February or first of January for fundraising,” he
said.
The board projects current funds will last up to three years. Still, Snyder
said, the board must act now to secure the society’s future.
If a bridge were out, he asked, would the sign be placed right at the bridge,
or would it be placed a quarter-mile up the road to give drivers enough warning
of the hazard ahead?
“You don’t want to deplete all your supplies,” Conrad added.
If anything disastrous happened at the museum and all operating funds were
used, Conrad said she wouldn’t know what would happen.
Snyder would like to have a member from every town in the county to serve on
the board. He also feels the society would benefit from more members in areas
outside of Logansport.
“I wish we could pull in more county members,” Conrad added. “It’s the Cass
County Historical Society, not the Logansport Historical Society, and we do
have treasures donated from outside Logansport and history on all of these
small towns in the county.”
Members receive certain benefits during the year including a newsletter every
other month. Conrad types the newsletter and includes current news about the
historical society along with archived articles.
Conrad and board members say they are staying optimistic and will continue to
fight for the future of the museum.
They believe the museum is an important part of the county for several reasons.
One major reason is the education of students about local history, which is
part of the mission statement.
“We still play an important part in the lives of our young people,” Conrad said.
Lantz said it also offers economic development and outreach to the community.
As far as Conrad’s position, the board feels she’s valuable to the museum and
the historical society.
“I don’t know what we would do without her,” said Snyder. “We’ll consider
cutting back on other things before we cut back on her hours.”
If the museum were forced to close its doors, Conrad said, the items would be
distributed to the state historical society or other historical entities.
“I don’t think anyone wants to see that,” she said.
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at
574-732-5151 or denise.massie(a)pharostribune.com
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