T-R FILE PHOTO - Accessibility to the Mowry Irvine Mansion, background, is one of the top general operating priorities for the Historical Society of Marshall County in Fiscal Year 2020, according to organization leaders.

The Historical Society of Marshall County works to make sure the local past is not forgotten, but they must also face present realities like operating costs.

That’s why organization leaders met with the Marshall County Board of Supervisors earlier this week. They are requesting $15,000 in county funds to help cover general costs in Fiscal Year 2020.

“There’s an assumption in the community that we are already under the umbrella of the county, fiscally,” said Historical Society administrator Michelle Roseburrough. “To our knowledge, we have never received any funding from the county, it’s always been a private organization since 1908.”

The board did not make a decision on the funding to the Historical Society at this week’s meeting, but members said they will consider the request as next year’s budget planning continues.

Organization board president Dan Brandt said the $15,000 would go toward general upkeep costs. One of the most pressing areas in need of attention is making Historical Society buildings more accessible.

For example, he said the Historical Society headquarters at the Mowry Irvine Mansion, 503 W. Main St., needs work to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Needed additions include railings and a ramp to help people with mobility challenges enjoy the building.

Other general needs include landscaping around a new sign, building maintenance, lawn care and snow removal, among other things.

If the county were to approve $15,000 to the organization for general operations, the money would account for a fraction of the organization’s needs in that area. Roseburrough estimated the annual costs for operation running in the $60,000-$80,000 range.

She said about $60,000 was spent on general operation last year, but several tasks went uncompleted due to lack of funding.

The Historical Society has monies outside of general operating cost, but Roseburrough said those funds are mostly from donors and grants which require the money be used for specific purposes aside from day-to-day costs.

Overall, Roseburrough said the Historical Society is financially healthy and does not spend more than it takes in due to good funding oversight.

The supervisors said they would look into whether the county could give the requested money to the organization.

“We’re beginning our budget time,” board Chairman Bill Patten said. “We will run this through our budget process and see where we’re at … we’ll work on this and get back to you.”

He said he has toured facilities run by the Historical Society and appreciates their work.

“It’s part of our Marshall County heritage, and I think it’s always good to remember how those things began,” he said.

For more information on the Historical Society of Marshall County, visit http://www.marshallhistory.org/ or visit the Mowry Irvine Mansion during open house events 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the open house is $4.

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Contact Adam Sodders at

(641) 753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com