The BCGHS’ Heritage Center Committee members are increasingly receiving requests to take family history and estate records from Bosque County citizens who have no place (locally) that has room enough or are facilitated to have their collections archived and preserved. While Bosque County does have local archive collections and libraries, many of them (if not all) face the common challenge of a lack of space. In addition, being tied to local and civic governments, many of them are subjected to budget cuts and are always under the shadow of closures and cutbacks by governing entities.

BCGHS not only wishes to house their own ever-increasing collection of reference material and digitization equipment, but also to offer space to share with other local repositories, archives and libraries. Most importantly, BCGHS wishes to safeguard collections currently in Bosque County from ever being removed from the county because of any possible future government closures.

The ultimate vision that BCGHS has beyond a reference library and archive, is to offer a facility where individuals and other non-profit organizations with shared interests can have a regular place to conduct meetings, receive assistance in their research, and have access to a wide range of local and family historical reference works. In addition to also wanting to provide digitization, preservation, and other services to the community at large, BCGHS is very desirous of being able to offer educational and tutoring programs for local youth on a regular basis.

While the BCGHS heritage committee has already come up with several possible floor plans for a future heritage and research center, the immediate need for a building or office space to set up their collection and equipment is rather urgent and they are considering all options in terms of sharing space or rentals in this regard. Committee members are seeking assistance from the community at large in this endeavor and are currently reaching out to individuals and organizations that may be able to assist, both in our short term and long-term goals. If you feel you are able to help in any way, or would love to share in our vision, please contact the BCGHS Heritage Committee Chair, Debbie Ferguson at bosquegenealogy@gmail.com.

PLANNING STAGE FLOOR PLANS