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Kansas Arts Commission, NEA funding ensures year-round operations and community outreach
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Courtesy photo Ewy (Walter) and Ragsdale descendants dropped into the museum from Seattle. They enjoyed a tour of the Farmers National Bank.

The Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society received a 2025-2026 General Operating Grant from the Kansas Arts Commission. Distributed through the Kansas Department of Commerce and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), this critical financial award secures the society’s ability to remain open to the public year-round on weekdays and directly funds its upcoming seasonal community programming.

The grant funding stabilizes daily operational costs, allowing the museum and research center to maintain consistent weekday hours for local researchers, genealogists, and visitors. Beyond operational security, the award provides vital financial sponsorship for the society’s robust public outreach initiatives, diverse in-house historical exhibits, and the continued publication of its quarterly historical newsletter, Reflections.

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Courtesy photo Back at the Stafford County Museum Library, they looked through the Ewy and Ragsdale family files, and also made some imprints of an old City of Stafford ink embosser for souvenir and craft purposes

“This generous support validates our mission and ensures that our county’s rich heritage remains accessible to everyone, every week of the year,” said Michael Hathaway, Executive Director of the Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society.

A significant portion of the grant funding supports, in part, educational programming, including Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau presentations. These public events bring specialized historians and cultural experts to Stafford County.

The Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing the unique history, artifacts, and family lineages of Stafford County, Kansas. Through permanent exhibits, educational programs, and research archives, the society fosters community engagement and keeps local history alive for future generations. Learn more at staffordcountymuseum.weebly.com/.