Blue Earth County Historical Society

History is at risk. Your History. Without your support, pieces of our county's story could be lost forever.

Did you know it costs over $31,000 each month to keep History alive at the Blue Earth County Historical Society’s (BECHS) History Center and Historic R.D. Hubbard House? This amount is essential to keep our doors open and carry forward our 124-year-old mission to preserve the history of Blue Earth County.

We are facing a significant shortfall in 2025, and we have an urgent opportunity for all our History Heroes: $145,000 in 107 days to bridge the gap between our current funds and what we need to operate. Your support today ensures history stays vibrant and accessible for generations.

THE COST OF KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE

As noted above, it costs over $31,000 each month or $1,041 per day to operate the History Center and Hubbard House. However, each day stands for so much more:

• Behind every artifact is a dedicated historian, archivist, or educator - together, their work costs $220,000 a year. That is just $611 a day to have skilled caretakers preserving the past for future generations.
• The investment of $275 per day safeguards thousands of irreplaceable artifacts. It ensures the care and protection today of priceless documents and family heirlooms for another one hundred years.
• Sharing local history through engaging hands-on learning opportunities for all ages including school children is possible for $155 per day.

WHY HISTORY MATTERS

Local history is a tapestry of stories and experiences that have shaped our community. When a child plunks on a typewriter for the first time or a descendant reads an ancestor’s century-old diary, they're not just learning facts - they're discovering the voices of those who came before them. Shared history strengthens community bonds. By preserving it, we ensure future generations can learn from the past by understanding their roots. History matters today!

HOW YOU CAN CLOSE THE GAP

From September 15 to December 31, 2025, we have 107 days to bridge the $145,000 gap in our budget. Despite good attendance this summer, our overall revenue is down 14% from last year, and expenses have increased by 6%. Even after reducing valuable staff, this gap remains. Your support is crucial in preserving our local history—the stories, artifacts, and landmarks that connect us to our past and guide us into the future.

Preserving our local history is a community effort, and your support makes everything we do at the Blue Earth County Historical Society possible. By contributing financially, you play a pivotal role in safeguarding our heritage for future generations. Help us meet the $1,041 needed for a full day of operations or become a monthly donor to sustain our work year-round. Every dollar helps preserve our historical assets. Be a History Hero and donate now.

Our local history is a treasure trove of knowledge, culture, and identity. Together, let's ensure that the stories and lessons of our past continue to inspire, engage and connect generations today and tomorrow. Thank you for being part of something bigger than any one of us.