News and Announcements

VICTORIA—The Ellis County Historical Society broke ground Thursday on a satellite location in the former St. John's Nursing Home in Victoria.

You can’t mention 20th-century women’s wear without thinking of Nelly Don. The Parsons native built a fashion empire on the vision that women deserved affordable, stylish clothing regardless of means or status

In particular, the matching campaign, initiated by Hays resident Darrell Seibel’s donation of $18,000 raised over $50,000 in donations in July 2023

We were “just tickled pink that the community supports this, not only with their time but their resources as well,” Pfeifer said

Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp.

The Ellis County Historical Society extends our gratitude to The Heartland Community Foundation for its fall grant cycle award of $2,935. 

This November ECHS was recognized three fold at the Kansas Museum Association’s Annual Conference.

As the Ellis County Commission continues to work through the 2023 budget process, it will consider the largest funding request from outside agencies in the last five years.

Temporary office space news release Nov. 1 2021. Robert and Patricia Schmidt were long-time supporters of ECHS. We are appreciative of the Schmidt Foundation’s pride and dedication to the rich history of Ellis Co. and excited to utilize this opportunity to regroup and vigorously plan for the future.

The modern-day children learned that instead of playing video games, pioneer children played marbles and ran three-legged races and egg-spoon races for their entertainment

The Victoria Community Coalition broke ground Sunday on the first phase renovation of the former St. John's Nursing Home in Victoria

The Ellis County Historical Society announced the near-completion of Phase 2 funding in the Brick-by-Brick capital campaign with the receipt of a grant of $50,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation

"None of this would have been possible without our community’s belief in both our mission and our ability to – once again – achieve our mission,

"I was really hard on this organization a couple of years ago," said Vice-Mayor Sandy Jacobs. "We believed in you and this [turnaround] could happen."

During their annual meeting Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society’s board of directors and trustees heard an update from executive director Amanda Rupp.

This fall, the Ellis County Historical Society was able to finish the remodel of the office portion of the basement in their main brick building.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society Board of Trustees voted unanimously to promote Amanda Rupp to executive director.

Amanda Rupp, executive director of the Ellis County Historical Society, wants to ensure the organization's viability and relatability for years to come.

"I think there's a lot of reviving this kind of tourist attraction around the state," she told the Hays City Commission recently

Sunday will be a long-awaited day for Victoria. Following almost two years of planning, community meetings, fundraising events and grant writing, the official groundbreaking ceremony for St. John’s Place will happen

“This is really just the very first planning phase. We know that it's going to be here in a couple of years. The historical society, fittingly I think, wants to take the lead on just being the chair organization that initiates and keeps all the moving parts in order,” Rupp said.

Executive Director Amanda Rupp said she is very excited to have the museum open to the public seven days a week.

The Ellis County Historical Society has been awarded a grant of $84,706 from the Heritage Trust Fund for brick work on the First Presbyterian Church as one of seven projects funded by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review.

Ellis County Historical Society is grateful for the Midwest Energy Community Grant of $1,000.

Join us Saturday September 3rd, from Noon to 4pm and enjoy live music, crafts and games for the kids and take in the exhibit. Free to attend.

Community support is growing for the Ellis County Historical Society.