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Historic Garst Museum
Garst Receives Ohio Humanities Council Grant
The Garst Museum is pleased to announce it is a recipient of an Ohio
Humanities OH CARES grant. Funds were made available through the Ohio
Humanities Council in an effort to make emergency financial support
available to worthy organizations impacted by COVID-19.
OH CARES funds will be applied towards the costs associated with
continuing and improving the museum’s remote Research Center and
Genealogy Library service. The Research Center contains a wealth of
local family history and original historical records vital to
researchers. Prior to the pandemic, many of the genealogy files were
accessible, with assistance from the staff, to patrons. The staff of
the Research Center is also the contact point for those wishing for
more information regarding Darke County history and the primary source
material behind the museum’s exhibits.
These valuable services provided by the Research Center are a source of
income for the Garst Museum. Free Research Center access is given when
individuals become members of the Darke County Historical Society. For
non-members, a fee is applied. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the income
normally generated from memberships and non-member fees has dropped and
expenses due to remotely addressing research requests have risen.
In an effort to continue to serve the public and patrons, keep Garst’s
research staff employed, and protect our patrons, staff, and
volunteers, we are working to fulfill research requests remotely. This
vital task requires head librarians, a Research Center technical
assistant, and a Research Center assistant. It is a choreographed dance
between these individuals that balances locating, organizing,
accessioning, and researching various forms of information. This group
of historical heroes works in unison to make certain that those that
are interested in the stories, families, history, and legends of Darke
County find what they are seeking.
Thanks to the financial help and recognition from Ohio Humanities, the
Garst Museum’s Research Center and Genealogy Library will continue to
provide its valuable service to Darke County and beyond.
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