BROOKVILLE — Council recently voted to give the Brookville Historical Society $7,500 to help the organization defray some of its operating costs in 2024.

“Once again, the Brookville Historical Society would like to request your consideration for any financial assistance that you can grant us so we can continue to keep our buildings open and running,” Brookville Historical Society President Becky Ditmer said.

Ditmer said the organization continues to struggle in securing funds to keep the buildings open.

The historical society operates the Spitler House and Community Museum (14 Market St.), the exhibit building and genealogy/research library (3 Hay Ave.) and the railroad depot and caboose (located at the corner of Hay and Cusick avenues).

“Our average operating expenses are approximately $1,527 a month,” Ditmer noted.

Ditmer said the historical society board recently sold the old resource library in an effort to have more funds available.

“But right after we sold it, we needed the front porch on the Hay Avenue building replaced,’ Ditmer said.

“That took all the money from the sale of the old resource library, plus some money from the historical society’s account,” Ditmer continued.

Ditmer also noted the organization had to spend funds to repair a leaking roof.

Ditmer said historical society members have made efforts to procure additional money for expenses with little success.

Ditmer said historical society members recently attempted to earn money by participating in the Brookville Public Library’s craft show.

“We went to the Brookville Library craft party and people weren’t interested in anything but the crafts. We didn’t sell anything,” Ditmer said.

Ditmer also said the historical society tried to raise money through participation in the city’s annual picnic event held in Golden Gate Park.

“The last time we participated we just broke even,” Ditmer said.

Historical member Carolyn Haney said the organization conducts tours of the facilities at a cost of $2 a tour.

“But you don’t make $1,500 a month on tours,” Haney said, adding most people think the tours are free.

Ditmer said the historical society has even tried to secure funds through various grant programs.

“But the ones we have seen are geared for operations that have employees and much larger operations than we have,” Ditmer said.

Ditmer noted the historical society only has 110 members and that donations have also decreased.

“People just don’t start getting interested in the history of Brookville until they are older,” Haney said.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].