Restoration – Franklin County Historical Society

FCHS board votes not to pursue barn project

May 24, 2018 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Ottawa, Kansas—After months of research and investigation, the Franklin County Historical Society Board of Trustees unanimously voted against pursuing the acquisition of the 1894 Hatfield-Wolf-Bowers barn, located near the corner of Seventh Street and Eisenhower Road in Ottawa, Kansas. In 2017, the Bowers family approached the Franklin County Historical Society about the possibility of donating the barn and some land to the historical society. “FCHS saw a potential opportunity to develop an agricultural museum and meeting space,” said Diana Staresinic-Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Historical Society. “We saw…

New exhibit explores how history shapes people, communities, and the future

February 7, 2017February 7, 2017 Diana Staresinic-Deane

The Old Depot Museum is kicking off the year with an interactive exhibit exploring the role history plays in who we are and how it shapes our communities. The grand opening for “Historically Significant: How History Shapes Us, Our Communities, and Our Future” will be Sunday, February 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum will be free to all visitors that day. “This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the Franklin County Historical Society,” said Deborah Barker, FCHS executive director. “We wanted to create an exhibit…