By Heather Hagedorn
Executive Director Geary County Historical Society
The Geary County Historical Society takes pride in preserving and sharing the unique and rich history of our community through exhibits, collection preservation, community activities and educational programming.So, we are sad and frustrated by the false information that is being spread about the Historical Society, in particular the false information being spread about the Geary County Historical Society Endowment Fund, which is a separate 501(c)3 created to support our mission.There are many questions about our organization and how we are funded, the primary question being asked, "The Historical Society has an Endowment, why don't they just spend that money?"Below is a letter written by Calvin Pottberg, CPA, and long-time treasurer of the Geary County Historical Society Endowment Fund, explaining the mission and limitations of the Endowment Fund, which is a wholly separate organization with their own governing laws and regulations regarding the use of their funds.
" September 9, 2025
To Whom It May Concern:
The Geary County Historical Society Endowment Fund of Junction City, Kansas was incorporated on January 22, 1988 by Harold Deever, former U.S.D. 475 Superintendent, and John A. Strain, CPA. It is an IRC 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit corporation and is completely independent from the Geary County Historical Society, which has its own IRC 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit status.
The purpose of the Endowment Fund is to solicit, receive, invest and administer gifts of money, securities and other property from the general public and to apply the income from these investments for the benefit and furtherance of the charitable and educational purposes and interests of the Geary County Historical Society and Museum of Junction City, Kansas.
The donations received over the years since 1988 have been invested locally and the income from those investments has been paid over annually to the Geary County Historical Society. The invested funds are considered principal and because it is an Endowment Fund, only the earnings can be paid over to the Geary County Historical Society. The invested principal funds are not available to the Geary County Historical Society. They are the assets of the separate Geary County Historical Society Endowment Fund.