History of the Allen County Historical Society, Inc.
The Allen County Historical Society is headquartered at the Allen County Museum in Iola, Kansas, and is a community of just under 7,000 people. The Society was formed in 1956 in a burst of enthusiasm that carried over from the Allen County Centennial Celebration of 1955.
When the county government gained approval from its citizens to tear down the historic old courthouse and construct a new building on the Iola city square in 1959 the Allen County Historical Society tried unsuccessfully to save this historic structure. However, when the new courthouse was complete, the County Government set aside a special Museum Room dedicated to Allen County historical exhibits.
Though the Society had originally failed to attract enough support to save the old courthouse, ongoing efforts to tear down the Old Jail sparked a public interest to preserve the building. Following the Society's efforts to conserve the Old Jail building, a majority of the citizens were supportive of the cause.
Special action by the Kansas Legislature made it possible for the Allen County Commissioners to turn over the deed to the jail to the Historical Society in 1959. After restorative and repair work had been done, the Old Jail Museum was opened to the public on May 20, 1962 and in its first month had 1,677 visitors from 29 states. A contract with the county was signed in 1965 whereby the Historical Society was made the official Curator of the Allen County Historical Collection. The Old Jail was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Important Milestones of the Allen County Historical Society, Inc.
The Allen County Historical Society is headquartered at the Allen County Museum in Iola, Kansas, and is a community of just under 7,000 people. The Society was formed in 1956 in a burst of enthusiasm that carried over from the Allen County Centennial Celebration of 1955.
When the county government gained approval from its citizens to tear down the historic old courthouse and construct a new building on the Iola city square in 1959 the Allen County Historical Society tried unsuccessfully to save this historic structure. However, when the new courthouse was complete, the County Government set aside a special Museum Room dedicated to Allen County historical exhibits.
Though the Society had originally failed to attract enough support to save the old courthouse, ongoing efforts to tear down the Old Jail sparked a public interest to preserve the building. Following the Society's efforts to conserve the Old Jail building, a majority of the citizens were supportive of the cause.
Special action by the Kansas Legislature made it possible for the Allen County Commissioners to turn over the deed to the jail to the Historical Society in 1959. After restorative and repair work had been done, the Old Jail Museum was opened to the public on May 20, 1962 and in its first month had 1,677 visitors from 29 states. A contract with the county was signed in 1965 whereby the Historical Society was made the official Curator of the Allen County Historical Collection. The Old Jail was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Important Milestones of the Allen County Historical Society, Inc.
- 1865 - Birth of Frederick Funston
- 1869 - The Jail was erected for $8,400.
- 1958 - The Old county Jail closed when the new Allen County Courthouse built its modern jail facilities
- 1959 - A special act of the Kansas Legislature allowed the Allen County Commissioners to give the deed to the jail to the Allen County Historical Society. This same year, the Society acquired the Museum Room within the courthouse to store their collections materials.
- 1962 - May 20, the Old Jail Museum was opened to the public and had 1,677 visitors from 29 states during the first month it was opened
- 1977 - U.S. Department of the Interior placed the Old Jail on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1979 - The Allen County Historical Society received a deed to a new museum building from the county as part of an economic development program. The Gallery Museum, as it was referred, was located next to the Old Jail at 207 North Jefferson Avenue and housed the Society's main exhibits on county history.
- 1987 - The Gallery Museum is enlarged, as a new section is added on to the back end of the building making more room for exhibits and a main storage area.
- 1994 June - Legislation is passed to transfer ownership of the historic Boyhood Home of Major General Frederick Funston from the state of Kansas to the members of the Funston family who in turn deeded it to the Allen County Historical Society, Inc.
- 1994 July - The Funston Home is moved from its original site north of Iola to the west side of the Iola town square, 14 South Washington Avenue, and restoration work began.
- 1995 - The Funston Home's restoration is complete, the Home is reopened as a museum following a Dedication Ceremony in front of the home.
- 1996 - Construction of the Funston Museum complex began (just south of Funston Home)
- 1997 - A Grand Opening is held for donors and volunteers at the newly completed Funston Museum building on June 22.
- 2000 - Through an anonymous donation, the Society purchases the building at 20 South Washington in Iola next to the Funston Museum. Work is begun that spring to transform the building into a new museum facility to replace the smaller Gallery Museum. At this time, the Gallery Museum becomes the Frederick Funston Meeting Hall. The new Allen County Museum is partially completed by September 29 and is opened to the public.
- 2005 - The Allen County Museum now houses both permanent and changing exhibits