About
The Coffey County Historical Society & Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to preserving Coffey County history for this and future generations.
Through 14,000 sq ft of display space, the Coffey County Museum illustrates the past and present of Coffey County, Kansas.
Visitors can explore pioneer exhibits, view a large antique doll collection, learn about Coffey County veterans, sit in a restored 1896 one-room schoolhouse, research ancestors and much more.
History
In 1965, a dedicated group of Coffey County residents came together to promote their historical heritage, leading to the establishment of the Coffey County Historical Society and Museum. Initially, the museum was located in a single showcase within the courthouse lobby. In 1974, it transitioned to a building that was generously donated and staffed by committed volunteers. The current facility was constructed in 1984, and subsequent expansions have included the addition of the Pioneer Gallery, Patchen Hall, and Cochran Gallery. Moreover, significant artifacts, such as the Rural Dale Schoolhouse and the Bethel Church, were relocated to the museum grounds. Today, the Coffey County Museum features over 14,000 square feet of display space.
Mission
The purpose of this society shall be to bring together those people interested in history, and especially in the history of Coffey County. Understanding the history of our community is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our state and nation, and promotes a better appreciation of our American heritage.
The society's main function will be to discover and to collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area; its exploration, settlement, development, and activities in peace and war; its progress in population, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and transportation. The society will collect printed material such as histories, genealogies, biographies, descriptions, gazetteers, directories, newspapers, pamphlets, catalogs, circulars, handbills, programs, memoranda, reminiscences, rosters, service records, account books, charts, surveys, and field books; and museum material such as pictures, photographs, paintings, portraits, scenes, aboriginal relics, and material objects illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities of the past and present.
The society will provide for the preservation of such material and for its accessibility, as far as may be feasible, to all who wish to examine or study it, to co-operate with officials in ensuring the preservation and accessibility of the records and archives of the county and of its cities, towns, villages, and institutions, and to undertake the preservation of historic buildings, monuments, and markers. The Coffey County Museum is the custodian of these records, archives, and artifacts.
The society will disseminate historical information and arouse interest in the past by publishing historical material in the newspapers or otherwise; by holding meetings with pageants, addresses, lectures, papers, and discussion; by marking historic buildings, sites, and trails; and by using the media of radio, television, and computer website link to awaken public interest.
The society co-operates with the Kansas State Historical Society to collect and to preserve materials of state-wide significance so that these materials can be made available to students and scholars.
Board of Directors
There are six Directors elected by the membership of the society and an appointed Treasurer that serve on the Board of Directors. Each Director can serve three consecutive terms with each term being three years. After the third term is completed, one year must elapse before being placed back on the ballot for consideration. Every effort is made to elect one Director from each city area of Coffey County and one at-large member.
| President | Dan Williamson | Burlington |
| Vice President | Jeri Page | LeRoy |
| Secretary | Cindy Williams | Waverly |
| Treasurer | Ida Wilson | Lebo |
| Roger Thomas | Lebo | |
| Charlene Danford | Gridley | |
| (Vacant) | At Large |
Staff
| Museum Director | Shirley Gorge |
| Administrative Assistant/Hiistorian | Erin Petterson |