HAYS – The Ellis County Historical Society board and general membership voted to save the red brick church building in downtown Hays which had housed the society’s museum and archives, and the first two phases of remodeling and repair have been completed.

The museum closed in late 2018, after mold was discovered. An expanded board and smaller staff began cleanup efforts and launched into fundraising campaigns to resolve the facility’s problems. Most of the cost of the second phase of the project was installation of a state-of-the-art HVAC system to control humidity and protect items in the collection.

With the completion of the first two phases of the project, the facility has hosted new exhibits, welcomed Humanities Kansas speakers and provided meeting space for local non-profits in newly renovated basement areas. Social activities, such as teaching and playing Durok card games during the summer, have also been introduced.

The third and final phase of the project will be remodeling work needed in the main gallery so that the museum can reopen. The archives include all negatives from the Hays Daily News and more than 300 handwritten county court docket books dating to the late 1870s. Artifacts include George Sternberg’s weapons collection, a popular textile collection, including quilts from the 1800s and wedding dresses from every era, and artwork from prominent local sculptors Pete Felton and Omer Knoll.

Completion of the main gallery remodeling is expected in 2025.