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A county treasure-trove faces money challenges
In a section of the basement of Memorial Hall at Third Street and National Avenue sits what Ken Lyon said is a "valuable asset" to the community.
But as expenses continue to increase, the "asset's" future may not be so bright.
Lyon is president of the Old Fort Genealogical Society, a nonprofit organization with a mission to "collect, preserve and disseminate knowledge and information with reference to genealogical and related historical, biographical and heraldic data," according to submitted information.
"For me, as a historian, they're valuable," Lyon said of the resources available at the OFGS library. "We do a lot of historic work, but we're a historical society also."
Lyon, who is also involved with the Historical Preservation Association of Bourbon County, said genealogy has been a hobby of his since the mid-1960s.
The library is a community resource for genealogical and historic research material for Bourbon County. It houses county birth, death, marriage and cemetery records; microfilm readers and microfilm of Fort Scott newspapers from 1858 to the present, along with other county newspapers; city and county directories and school annuals; and countless other irreplaceable records.
"Our primary goal is to help in genealogy and historical research," Lyon said. "We're the only repository for Bourbon County history in Bourbon County. The courthouse has some documents. They're also a repository and it's an ideal location being right across the street."
The library also has several computers with Internet and WiFi access and a copier for research activities. Lyon said county marriage records are indexed in the OFGS library and the actual volumes pertaining to those records are available on the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The need for additional space caused the OFGS to move a few times throughout its history. In 1978, it was originally housed in the basement of the Fort Scott Public Library, later moved in 1992 to the Old Congregational Church and finally in 2004 to its present home in the Grand Army of the Republic/Woman's Relief Corp Auxiliary Rooms in the basement of Memorial Hall.
The OFGS "paid minimal rent" in its location at the OCC, but "then ran out of space," and found expanded space at its current location.
The OFGS, which formed in 1974, relies on volunteers to complete its mission. At its founding, there were 54 members in the society. That number grew to 226 members at its peak in 2002. The society currently has 89 members, 48 in Bourbon County and others representing 21 states.
Lyon said the OFGS is a "frugal organization operated by volunteers." There is no paid staff in the society.
"We depend on membership dues, volunteer donations and contributions for research, and copy and research fees," he said. "It's a small fee when compared to others in the area."
The Fort Scott Public Library currently does not provide any access to microfilm -- that information has been moved to the OFGS and records date back to the 1800s, Lyon said. He said the OFGS has several microfilm and microfiche readers and pays about $1,000 annually for a service agreement on one such piece of equipment.
"Or we have to pay a technician to come in," Lyon said.
Lyon said the OFGS library attracts about 400 visitors each year. Volunteers complete research requests received via e-mail, telephone or regular mail from people around the U.S. with ties to Bourbon County.