Online Chat about the Lyon County Historical museum
July 9, 2008
Director of the Lyon County Historical museum Greg Jordan will answer your questions about the museum.
Moderator: Our guest today is Greg Jordan, executive director of the Lyon County Historical Society. He is heare to answer questions about the society and its museum, which is in the old Carnegie Library building at Sixth Avenue and Market Street. Our chat will last about half an hour. If you have questions for Greg, plese submit them soon here on the Web site. Don't forget to refresh your computer screen often, to keep up with the conversation. A transcript of today's chat will be published in Thursday's Gazette. We'll start with a general question about the operations and future of the museum.
mzsej: I think we have a excellent museum. While I loved the exhibits as a child, the museum has undergone many changes (or rather, improvements) in the past 10 years. Lately, I have found the exhibits to more profession, entertaining, and (last, but not least) informative. From what I understand, you have a very limited budget. My question (in two parts): 1) How have been able achieve so much for so little? 2) Is the city or the county planning on helping you find a more suitable location, one that would serve to highlight your collections as well as act as a tourist attraction for this area?
Greg Jordan: Our success is attributal to the hard work and dedication of the Lyon County Historical Society Staff. They do a fantastic job and achieve a great deal of work despite the fact they are all part time. The staff all are passionate about history and that passion is translated in our exhibits, or programming and our research. We also have a wonderful board of Directors and volunteer base that both help us tremendously. We desperately need a new building. The current Museum building, a 1904 built Carnegie Library, although beautiful and historic, is inadequate in size for the volume of our collections. Additionally, the building is in a serious state of disrepair. If we don’t do something soon, there is a concern that all or part of our irreplaceable collections could be damaged. We are neither a City of Emporia or Lyon County department. Given the current economics of both entities, if would difficult for either to facilitate a new building suitable for our needs any time in the foreseeable future. That being said, I am hopeful this can be accomplished.
moderator: What is the history of the Lyon County Historical museum?
Greg Jordan: The Lyon County Historical Society first meeting was November 1, 1937. Mrs. Clyde Partridge, Lucina Jones, Mrs. F.L. Gilson, and Mrs. Conrad Vandervelde, all members of the Daughters of the American Revolution were the driving force behind the formation of this organization. The very first Board of Directors were, President William L. Huggins, Vice-President Harry A. Wayman, Secretary Charles E. Ryan, and Treasurer John Langley. William Allen White was a Member at Large. As the group prospered and the collection of artifacts and archive material grew, the City of Emporia loaned us space in the basement of the newly built Civic Auditorium. This was the location of the Museum until 1979 when all the collections were moved into the present location at 118 East 6th Avenue, the old public library building.
moderator: Tell us about the your collections? How many pieces etc.?
Greg Jordan: We have a very large and varied collection. We have approximately 250,000 artifacts. We have items from the beginnings of Lyon County, items from every military conflict from the Civil War on, items from everyday life from the 1850’s to the present. We have one of the largest and most extensive research centers in Kansas. We have over 300,000 items in the archives. From books, records, yearbooks, albums to deeds, maps, court records. We have over 500,000 photographs. Many of the photographs are not indentified. If anyone would like to come to the Research center and help us out with the photograph indentification, that would be much appreciated
moderator: How is your organization funded and what are your greatest needs?
Greg Jordan: We receive an apportionment from Lyon County each year. For the past several years this amount has been $100,000. This sum is crucial to the survival of the Historical Society. It needs to be more, but given the current budget situation, we are happy to get it. We receive almost $9,000 each year as membership dues. We receive $10,000 per year in cash donations. We have investments that produce around $10,000 per year. Our total budget is $130,000. For that amount we maintain three separate properties. The Museum building, the Research Building, and the Historic Richard Howe Farmstead. We employ eight staff members. We pay all the utilities, pay for office supplies and equipment, and any and all other supplies we may need. We receive no funding from the City of Emporia. Without question our greatest need is for a new Building. In the mean time we need more funding. We have so many things to offer the public but lack the personnel, the equipment, or the dollars to fully reach our potential. We always need volunteers to perform a variety of tasks at all three of our locations. If you are interested in volunteering your time or your money, just drop by my office and we can talk.
moderator: What exhibits are on display in the museum and what are the hours?
Greg Jordan: Currently on display at the Museum: The history of Lyon County Kansas, The history of the theatre in Emporia, Travel, odd and unique items not from here, and the Brinkman Train. We change the exhibits often, so please keep coming by and we will keep entertaining you and educating you on the history of this area. We are open from 1pm to 5pm at the Museum, Tuesday thru Saturday. The research Center is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday thru Friday, and the Howe House is open by appointment.
moderator: Besides running the museum what other activities do you oversee?
Greg Jordan: I am responsible for the operation of the Museum, the Research Center, and the Howe House. I perform the Personnel duties, the Marketing, Fund Raising, Grant Writing, maintenance, and everything else that needs to be done that isnt being done but other staff members. I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Museum Association, the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Planning Commission, and the Leadership Emporia Alumni Association.
moderator: Do you accept donations to your historical collections? If so how many donations do you get a year?
Greg Jordan: We incourage the public to donate their family treasures to the Museum. However, we do NOT take just anything. The items must be from Lyon County and fit into our collection policy guidelines. The must be in good shape, represent an area of need, and be fairly rare and or unique. I encouage anyone who is interested in making an artifact donation to call either Rita Scribner or myself. We will be happy to discuss your potential donation with you.
moderator: What are some of the most unique items in the historical collections?
Greg Jordan: The J. Warren Brinkman model train layout is the most entertaining and interesting artifact in our collection. The Mummy’s foot may be the most unique. We also have several items from the Civil War that are quite rare. With over 250,000 different artifacts, we have something for everyones interest. We aquire new items almost daily, so please check back and see what new treasure we might have.
moderator: What do you want people to know about you and your organization?
Greg Jordan: The Lyon County Historical Society helps create a vibrant, energized learning community. Our achievement as individuals and our success as a democratic society depend on learning continually, adapting to change readily, and evaluating information critically. As stewards of cultural heritage, information and ideas, the Lyon County Historical Society offers the public unprecedented access and expertise in transforming information overload into knowledge. Our role at the Historical Society is to provide leadership in creating a center of learning for life crucial to achieving personal fulfillment, a productive workforce and an engaged citizenry. The Lyon County Historical Society does not exist for economic reasons. Rather, we are a source of information about the past; we provide this area with an appreciation of our culture and we are an enjoyable place to spend time, contemplating the past and those who shaped and formed this part of the world. The importance of the Lyon County Historical Society is in direct proportion to the service we render, that is, the emotional and intellectual life of the people of this area. This is not a traditional measure of economic output by an organization and even though we are not thought of as an economic entity, we do provide important economic benefits to this area, such as: While in this area to visit the Museum, Research Center, or Howe House, out-of-town tourists spend money at local restaurants, motels, stores, gas stations, and the museum gift shop. The purchases made with local merchants, as well as sales tax revenues are significant. In 2007, the Historical Museum had 14,000 visitors. 35% of those visitors were from outside Lyon County. Please consider this: There are many worthwhile organizations in Emporia and Lyon County, all of them deserving of your attention. The difference is that the Lyon County Historical Society is the only group that is actively engaged in the preservation of this areas history. If we fail our mission of preserving history, then we all fail. History that is lost is lost forever and it affects everyone. History that is preserved benefits everyone now and for the future.
zander: HOw long will the current display "Theatre in Emporia" be available for viewing?
Greg Jordan: That exhibit will run thru the end of this year. It is one of our best exhibits ever. It took a great deal of time and research to put it together. We want the public to enjoy this exhibit as long as possible.
Moderator: That's all the time we have today Thanks to Greg Jordan for taking the time to answer your questions, and thank you for sending the questions in. Keep yoiur eye on www.emporiagazette.com for an announcement of the next live chat.