New Exhibits Coming to Riley County Historical Museum

December 22nd will be the last day to see the current exhibits on display at the Riley County Historical Museum, located at 2309 Claflin Road. The museum will temporarily close beginning December 23rd for interior renovations. During the closure, staff and volunteers will repaint the interior, update the building layout, and install new exhibits.

The museum's reopening is planned for February 8, 2025.

"These six weeks will allow our staff to clear the current exhibits, safely move items to storage, paint, and improve the layout of the lobby to make it more welcoming for guests," said Museum Director Katharine Hensler. "In addition, we'll explore the possibility of installing new lighting."

The new exhibits will not only be modernized according to current interpretive standards, but they will also showcase the diversity of all Riley County communities and include the voices of more Riley County residents, past and present.

"We intend to take a multi-vocal approach to the way we share information in these new exhibits. This is also a great opportunity for us to bring artifacts that have never been exhibited before out of storage to share with our visitors. During this time, we will also update the lobby configuration to be more inviting and welcoming, and the gift shop will get a whole new inventory," said Hensler.

The updates aim to enhance the visitor experience and better showcase the museum's extensive collection. Additional details about the new exhibits and artifacts as well as the reopening celebration will be announced in the coming weeks.

The request for temporary closure was approved by Riley County Commissioners during their November 21 meeting.

"Typically, January and July are the months with the lowest attendance at the museum. We plan to reopen the weekend of February 8 and 9 and we look forward to celebrating with the community. There will be opening receptions scheduled for Riley County Historic Society members and the public," explained Hensler.

Funding for the renovations was provided by private donations and the Riley County Historical Society, a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the museum to preserve the community's diverse history. Volunteers will assist with the project, providing critical support to facilitate the work.

During the closure, museum will staff continue regular operations and administrative tasks. They will also continue to offer tours of the Goodnow House State Historic Site and remain open for research services.

Admission to the museum is free, and normal hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.

The Riley County Historical Museum strives to preserve the history of people, places and artifacts of Riley County. For more information, contact the museum by phone at 785-565-6490, visit the museum at 2309 Claflin Road, or find information online at www.rileycountyks.gov/museum

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