Furnas-Gosper Museum

Serving the counties of Furnas and Gosper, we provide a historical journey that will take visitors back to the people and places of our incredible past.  Our Give BIG goal is to raise funds to use towards renovating our new museum space. 

When you walk past the Allen building today, you can almost feel the stories waiting inside-memories of the past and the promise of a future gathering place for our community. For years, this historic building has stood at the heart of Arapahoe, quietly reminding us of the generations who came before. Now, we have the opportunity to bring it back to lite.

Thanks to early support, the second floor- once weakened by age- has been structurally repaired. It was the first major step in restoring the building's strength. Soon, we will begin a complete reconstruction of the plumbing system, opening the door for the next phase of renewal. Along the way, we've encountered challenges that remind us just how old and storied this building is, including a colony of bats that have made all three floors their home. Their safe removal is part of preparing the building for its next chapter.

A recent grant from the City of Arapahoe will help us repair the facade, preserving the building's historic character. Yet many essential needs remain: a new HVAC system, extensive electrical upgrades costing appr. $80,000 and interior restoration such as refinishing floors, repairing drywall, and painting. The west exterior wall must be repaired, and a new basement door installed to ensure safety and accessibility.

As we imagine the future museum, we can already picture the displays that will tell the stories of our region-new display cases, bookshelves, quilt displays, and portable partitions that will allow us to create engaging exhibits and flexible community spaces.

We continue to pursue grant funding, hoping that some major infrastructure needs will be covered. Every dollar raised will bring us closer to opening the doors of the Allen Building once again.

The full renovation is estimated at $400,000. With your support, the Allen Building will transform from a long-standing landmark into a vibrant museum and gathering place - one that preserves our history, inspires future generations, and welcomes residents and visitors for years to come.

Thank you for considering the Furnas-Gosper Museum for your contribution. Your support helps advance our mission and brings us closer to opening a vibrant cultural and community space for Furnas and Gosper Counties and the surrounding region.

Sincerely

Furnas-Gosper Museum Board

Jamie Person, President

Bev Osiecki, Vice President 

Lori Moore, Treasurer

Chris Urbom, Secretary 

Members: Jean Beckerman, Wayne Lammel, Reid Stagemeyer