History Makers: The Future is Now
Apply to be a History Maker in 2027
Application Requirements
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Do you have a plan for the future? History Makers: The Future Is Now is a free, hands-on strategic planning and doing opportunity for rural museums located in Kansas counties of 50,000 or less. Inspired by America's 250th and in recognition of the importance of local history in telling America's stories, Humanities Kansas is inviting rural history museums and historical societies to apply to participate in a forward-thinking, energetic, tailor-made year-long planning and doing process led by a professional small museums consultant.
This is a competitive application with the expectation that five will be selected for strategic planning and doing in 2027.
This project is supported in part by a 2025 grant from The Patterson Family Foundation.
About History Makers
It's all about rural! History Makers pivots traditional strategic planning into today's need for Strategic Doing. Rooted in capacity building and resilience training, this initiative will work with rural museums’ staff and board members to create a plan that will help them navigate opportunities and challenges as they come up. Participating museums will make statewide connections with others in similar situations, receive one-on-one help, participate in giveback opportunities, and learn the tools that will help lead their organizations into the future.
Participating museums will be required to work with their local economic development, tourism organization, or other community-wide partner outside the museum sector and will receive $2,500 from Humanities Kansas to implement a new project for the museum developed during the Strategic Doing process.
This is a year-long commitment and Humanities Kansas will provide stipends to help with travel or other expenses related to the project.
Explore the Call for Applicants
History Makers 2026
Four Kansas museums are participating in “History Makers: The Future is Now,” an innovative statewide strategic planning initiative for rural museums from Humanities Kansas. Inspired by America's 250th, "History Makers" recognizes the importance of local history in telling America's stories. The museums were selected through a competitive process to participate in the year-long initiative.
- Franklin County Historical Society, Ottawa
- Miners Hall Museum, Franklin
- Scott County Historical Society, Scott City
- Wabaunsee County Historical Society, Alma
Questions? Contact Tracy Quillin at 785-357-0359.