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Where We've Been
2004-2020
A RICH VISION
Press Release announces Salina businessman Jack Vanier donates $430,000
$90,000 Heritage Trust Grant secured
Purchased 117 N. Douglas Ave.
First Cattle Drive brings thousands to downtown Ellsworth
2007
2004
Bylaws written and approved
Original Board of Directors voted to provide the vision
2008
Advisory committee established
Received $2000 grant from the Joyce Nagel Health, Education & Recreation fund
Drovers website added to the front of the Signature Insurance Building
166 fundraising letters went out to begin Phase II of the project
2009
2010-2012
Fundraising efforts continue
Met with Kansas State University Professor Justin Kastner, Ph.D. regarding a traveling exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the Chisholm Trail
Met with Director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan
Brad Anderson, Salina Arts & Humanities, led a brainstorming discussion
Architect Jeff Gillam visits the site for plans on Phase II
Board votes to restore the Insurance Building to its historical appearance
Board votes Jim Gray as Executive Director
2013
2014
Board met with representatives from Traub Design
Insurance Building sustained extensive roof damage
Drovers is the recipient of a $5000 grant from Western Cooperative Electric
Board began discussion with KSU Dept of Architecture
20 students and 2 professors were involved in the 3-D Model Design
Aurora, CO museum donates Harper's Weekly annals from the 1850s to 1920s
Received $2000 grant from Smoky Hill Charitable Foundation
2015
2016
Board voted to pay Traub Design for design of entrance space
K-State students present their vision through a 3-D design
Gale Gish is commissioned to construct a 1/8 scale model cattle car
Hosted the Ellsworth Business Summit featuring David Proctor
Discussed a grand opening of a small scale museum
Hosted Old Settlors Reunion
Board met with Center for Community Engagement and Development
Participate in Strategic Doing through the Smoky Hill Charitable Foundation
Jim Gray presented a power point indicative of the economic impact of the project
2017
2018
Hosted a Strategic Doing community meeting
Submitted a Heritage Trust Grant for Phase II
National Endowment for the Humanities grant submitted for internships
2019
Received a Heritage Fund Trust Grant in the amount of $69,840
Hired architect Campbell & Johnson for work related to the grant
Where We're going
PHASE I
PHASE II
PHASE III
COMPLETED
CURRENT
FUTURE
Resortoration of the exterior of Ellsworth's Signature Insurance Building and the historic architectural oriel feature
Restoration of the interior walls and flooring of Ellsworth's Signature Insurance Building; restructuring space to accommodate Phase III
Creation of final museum, theatre, meeting space, library, research center
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