Sedgwick County commissioners have approved funding to help the capital campaign for The Kansas African American Museum in its effort to find a new building in a new location.
The county will provide $450,000 over a five year period toward the campaign. The museum’s executive director, Denise Sherman, said significant progress is being made in the effort to create a new museum and cultural center, and a formal announcement is planned this summer.
The museum is now in the former Calvary Baptist Church building at 601 North Water. The building was constructed in 1917 and Commissioner Jim Howell said it has not been a good location. He said there will have to be discussions on what to do with the building in the future. Sherman said she hopes the county will find a new purpose for the building that will serve the community.
Howell wanted to include benchmarks in the funding agreement for a new museum location and a discussion on the future of the Calvary Baptist Church. Commission Chairman David Dennis said those discussions can be held later and he’s confident the museum will move forward on a new site. Commissioner Pete Meitzner said the agreement requires the museum to provide reports to the county on the progress of its capital campaign.
The funding agreement was given unanimous approval by the Commission.
