On a flyer advertising a community meeting next week to discuss the future of the Mancos Valley Historical Society, one question stands out: “Can we continue?”
On Wednesday, the society will host a community meeting at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. 1st St., at 1 p.m. to discuss dwindling volunteers and funds and possible paths forward for the group’s long-held vision of a valley museum. Since 2020, the group – which preserves artifacts and stories central to the town and valley’s history – has endured the deaths of three officers and numerous members, creating financial strain.
“We just haven't had the kind of membership and commitment that we had prior to all of those people passing on,” said Linda Simmons, president of the historical society.
Before the loss of much of its board, the society hosted events with food and performances and published newsletters featuring family stories from the region. Now, with two remaining officers, the board no longer holds its regular monthly meetings.
If you go
What: Community meeting on the future of the Mancos Valley Historical Society
When: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Where: Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St.
Details: The society will discuss declining membership and funds, volunteer needs and possible next steps, including long-term plans for a museum.
Information: Contact Linda Simmons at (970) 946-2460
“We need to have people who will step up and take officer positions, and we all need people who can participate in more fundraising activities,” Simmons said. “Our treasury is pretty depleted. So we need people that will do more fundraising events.”
This is not the first time the society has faced an uncertain future. The group was revived in late 2013 after a few-year hiatus and rebuilt its collection from the ground up. Simmons said the organization has long hoped to open its own museum, but the work requires more than two people.
“At this particular point, we have the possibility of a building finally and unfortunately we need to have more than just two of us to manage and take care of it,” Simmons said.
The society’s storage unit holds antique dresses, quilts, books and silver that members hope to one day display in a museum. Reaching that goal will require sustained volunteer effort, Simmons said.
“What we would like to have is a board of five, as we used to have. And then we can use 30 or 40 people to carry on the things that we would like to do,” Simmons said. “Being consistent is really important, not just come to one meeting or not just participate in one fundraising activity, but be there for us.”
For more information, contact Simmons at (970) 946-2460.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
