Ellis County Historical Society
SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDRAISER
Preserving the Millstones That Helped Build Our Community
For nearly 150 years, four millstones have stood as enduring witnesses to the history of Hays and Ellis County, Kansas.
Imported from France in 1876 by Volga German pioneer miller Jakob Meier, these remarkable millstones helped power one of Ellis County's earliest grist mills. Today, they remain among surviving artifacts that connect us directly to the pioneers whose courage helped build our community.
In partnership with Operation Mill Stones, a community preservation initiative founded by Jakob Meier's great great granddaughter, Bridgette Crosby, is working to relocate, conserve, and permanently display the millstones at the Ellis County Historical Society Museum in Hays.
Every gift, regardless of size, helps preserve an irreplaceable piece of Ellis County's history. Thank you for helping ensure these remarkable millstones continue telling their story for generations to come.
Pete Felten Legacy Fund
This fund celebrates the legacy of local sculptor and artist Pete Felten. His statues have become intertwined with the history of Hays and the surrounding region.
Contributions to this fund will help support the preservation of Pete Felten's studio, and artwork, as well as begin the foundations of a future museum, gallery and garden.
Fr. Valentine Sommereisen Memorial Plaque Fund
This fund honors the legacy of the first resident Catholic priest in Hays. He was a missionary to early Volga German and frontier settlers of Ellis County.
Contributions to this fund will help fund a bronze historical marker near the site of Fr. Valentine Sommereisen's retirement home, and help recognize and preserve his role in the history of Ellis County's Catholic and immigrant communites.
2026 Quilt Raffle
The Kansas-inspired quilt shown here is a special collaboration by the Big Creek Quilt Guild and was generously donated to support the 2026 textile processing project work.
Chances to Win
$5 Each or 3 for $10
Visit the Hays museum to get your tickets today!
CAPITAL FUNDRAISERS
Victoria,KS
ECHS Sister-Site Fundraiser
ECHS is creating a sister site in Victoria Kansas inside the former rest home building, now called St. John’s place. The space will have a permanent storage area for artifacts and a large gallery located through the main south entrance at 701 7th Street. On display will be the majority of the rural county history focusing on the following themes: Walker Army Airfield, Angus Cattle Ranching in the US, Oil Industry in Ellis County, Western Kansas Agriculture, and the Volga German Immigrants, Churches and Villages.
You can help us make it a reality!
Now is your once -in-a-lifetime opportunity to share your ancestors’ story by being a part of the Ellis County Historical Society’s Settlers Hall of Honor.
Inside the front lobby and Founders’ Gallery wall space will be set aside for memorial plaques dedicated to first generation Ellis County settlers. Content of the plaques will vary slightly but may include photographs, family genealogy, historical family anecdotes.
Every family has a story worth sharing, and the ECHS Heritage Center will celebrate county residents and village founders throughout its exhibits. This is your opportunity to honor your family's legacy while supporting a cultural center that will endure for generations. Join us in preserving and celebrating our shared history.
Funds collected for the Hall of Honor will be used for the redevelopment of the sister site building (ECHS portion of St. John’s Place) and museum housed within, all currently in the planning stages. ECHS is a 501(c)(3) and your donations are tax deductible.
For more information, please contact
Cynthia Stone, ECHS Administrative Assistant
by text/call 785-893-1431
or by email at office@echshays.org
In 1876, the first group of Volga German immigrants left the comfort of their families and the security of their villages to make the treacherous journey seeking a better life in America. Choosing Ellis County, Kansas, these hard-working, faith-filled men and women transformed a frontier prairie teeming with saloons, brothels and gunslingers into a county known far and wide for its towering limestone churches and productive farmland.
This modern, innovative, compassionate county is what it is today because of them, our ancestors. You are who you are today because of them. Isn’t it time that we gratefully honor them with the recognition that they so richly deserve?
Names marked with an asterisk (*) are reserved but still need full funding.
Large Plaques:
Berens
Braun
Dorzweiler
Dreiling
Kuhn
Lang
Robben
Roth*
Schippers
Vonfeldt
Windholz
Small Plaques:
Baier
Brungardt*
Huser
Kisner
Knoll*
Meder/Mader*
Munk
Pfeifer
Riedel
Scheck
Schulte*
Wasinger
8 Small Plaques are still avalible.
To reserve your family plaque, please text Cynthia Stone (785)-893-1431.
These designated spaces are limited and ECHS has set aside a certain number of plaques of each size to be displayed.
The Ellis County Historical Society staff will help each family compile history and information to be included on the wall and will have full design authority and discretion.