Historical museum presents year-end report
Commissioners praise staff on 'wonderful job'
Staff writer
Marion City Commissioners last week commended Cynthia Blount and her parents Jack and Ella Swain on the "wonderful job" they have done this past year at the Marion Historical Museum.
During the Nov. 25 city commission meeting, Blount said the museum was now "closed for the year" and reported on its activities during 2003.
This past year, the museum had 1,317 visitors from all over the world. Six hundred eighty-one people came from Marion County, 498 were from other areas in Kansas, 133 were from out-of-state, and five were international visitors from England, Germany, and Taipei.
The 133 out-of-state visitors came from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
The museum collected $301.50 in its "cookie jar," Blount said.
Among the activities, Blount said:
— During a mystery bus tour on May 1, coffee and cookies were served to 57 visitors. A $100 donation was received. During a July mystery tour, tea and water were served to 48 guests and a $40 donation was received.
— All large cases were dusted. Photos were removed from the photo display, placed in archival covers, and sorted by subject. Originals are being replaced with copies in the display.
— The foyer ceiling and wall were fixed. Before a new roof was installed in 1999, a water leak had damaged the ceiling and wall, Blount reported.
— Track lighting conduit pipe was painted to match the walls and wainscoting.
— City staff repaired an electrical problem in July. Three new outlets were added in the west room and placed on a separate circuit.
"If we turned on the fan in the school room, the breaker would trip," Blount said. "And if we wanted to vacuum we had to turn off the light."
— Cleaned the barber chair and completed the barber exhibit.
— Played host to 60 guests during Chingawassa Days, 106 visitors during Art in the Park, and 120 visitors on Old Settlers' Day. Marion Chamber of Commerce members toured the museum in September.
— A gift of $300 was received from Dr. Kenton King to be used for "whatever" was needed and a $100 gift was received from Jean Case.
— Gifts amounting to $200 were received in memory of Phyllis Melton from the Marion County Historical Society; Nancy Colburn Seed, $30; and Edmond and Audrey Ann Slocome, $25. The funds will be used to purchase book shelves for reference and genealogical materials.
— Items donated to the museum this year came from Dwight Boesker, City of Marion, Herman and Iva (Hett) Unruh, Patricia Montgomery.
Jean Case, Cleo Summervill, William Schimpf, Mary Melton Lynam, Marion High School yearbook class, Connie Way, Margaret Vinduska, Anna Niles Beattie.
Lois Weber, Lawrence and Dorothy Gilbert, Kay Navrat, Roger Hannaford, and Evelyn Ollenberger.
