• The Stuhr Museum Research Department
• Research
• Acquisition of Historical Materials
• Preservation of Historical Materials
• Library and Archives Regulations

The Stuhr Museum Research Department

Stuhr Museum's historical research and administrative headquarters are located in the Edgar and Frances Reynolds Center, a 6,430 square foot building located south of the Stuhr Building (see Stuhr Museum map). The center was made possible by a generous grant for the Edgar Reynolds Foundation, Inc.  The Peter Kiewit Foundation provided funds for interior development, specialized equipment and computerization of the library and archives.

Financial support of the Research Department is encouraged to ensure that ongoing projects continue.  Generous contributions have been made in the past to provide this excellent facility.  Your assistance can make a difference.  Inquiries about tax-deductible donations may be directed to the Stuhr Foundation or the Research Department staff.

The library and archives of the Stuhr Museum are open to all Hall County residents who are interested in historical research and study.  The staff assists persons who are engaged in family, business, and organizational histories. Several research projects have been produced as books by the Museum's Prairie Pioneer Press and are available in the Museum Shop. Seminars, workshops, and programs are offered in many areas such as research and writing family, business, and organizational histories; discovering ethnic heritage; using local history in the classroom; conserving historical artifacts and preserving and interpreting historical photographs.

The Research Department maintains an ongoing acquisition program.  While the  Museum possesses a fine collection of historical materials, that collection must continually be enhanced.  A vast amount of significant material lies forgotten in basements and attics.  With your help such materials can be found and the originals, or copies of the originals, deposited in the Museum's archives for future use.  Documents which tell the story of Hall County individuals, families, businesses, farms and organizations are most useful. (Click here to see our want list)

The Museum possesses an excellent facility where historical materials are preserved in a climatically controlled environment.  Research Department staff and volunteers carry on various projects to improve the accessibility of current holdings and process recent acquisitions.

• All users are encouraged to arrange for an appointment.
• All users of the library and archives must be signed in at the front desk.
• Only pencils may be used to take notes
• The archive area is accessible to the museum staff only.  Research staff will retrieve all items requested by the user form the archives area.
• Do not reshelve books in the reading room.  Staff will reshelve all books.
• No food or beverages are allowed in the research area.
• Photocopying service is available. Ask a member of the research staff for prices.
• Written permission must be obtained from Stuhr Museum before any manuscript from the Museum's collection may be published.