Blue Rapids Historical Society and Museum

Goal: $30,000.00

Specific Need

 Technology Needs - A color printer for advertising and marketing (ie. posters) will be an asset. A card reader for the gift shop is needed for credit card transactions. 

Renovation Projects - 

The next big project for the Blue Rapids Museum is complete restoration of the west side of the building at the cost of $30,000. Hailstorms in the past two years have damaged the building beyond plain wear and tear of aging. The Specialist, the company owned and operated by Roy & Lori Hanni of Olsburg, KS, has done work on both the Blue Rapids Public Library and Koester House Museum in Marysville. They are approved by the Kansas State Historical Society for historical preservation/restoration.

The project will involve scraping off old (asbestos) paint by hand, applying hardener to protect the soft and deteriorated stone, as well as replacing missing and loose mortar. After this preparation, a special breathable lime paint will be applied that will further preserve the stone. Work will begin in fall of this year, and finish in 2024.

The Blue Rapids Historical Society would appreciate any and all donations to help with the preservation of our historical building, along with our efforts through the organization and the museum to preserve, exhibit, and celebrate the history of Blue Rapids and the surrounding area of Marshall County. It is only through the generosity of donors like you that we continue to exist and thrive.

Pie-in-the-sky-  An endowment that supports the  day to day costs and maintainance, allowing donations to go to exhibits, programs and history related activities.

Mission

The Blue Rapids Historial Society and Museum safeguards the memories of our community through preservation, exhibits, genealogy collections and public programs for the enjoyment of our community and the education and inspiration of our future generations.

Profile

The Museum is completely donor based. All workers are volunteer. It was established in 2005 to preserve the history of Blue Rapids and the surrounding community. It is a gathering place for locals interested in genealogy research and local history with a collection of diaries, homes, newspapers etc.

Special collections reflect various points in time for Blue Rapids families. The military exhibit is one on the largest in the county including a comprehensive photo collection of community Veterans. The permanent exhibits that include the Ice Age exhibit and the replica Wagon of the Donner-Reed as a life size diarama are one of a kind. The non permanent exhibits change out on a regular basis. Visitors will always see new and different displays and exhibits.

Special events have included re-enactments, tours for school children with demonstration of past skills and hand crafts. More recently, a Quilt exhibit with a monthly sewing group, monthly book club, monthly genealogy club. A weekly Art and Painting group is the latest addition. The quarterly Newsletter reaches over 400 people around the country.

The community also uses the museum as a gathering place for luncheons, meetings and parties. It is an integral part of the Blue Rapids cultural and social arena.  Hours have expanded to eight per week with appointments available and public access when volunteers are present.

This past year,