Aug 22, 2026
VIROQUA Wis. – A year after Vernon County slashed its financial support for the Vernon County Historical Society, county supervisors and museum leaders are working to build a better understanding of the organization’s economic and social contributions. The ongoing dialogue, which began during a contentious budget cycle in late 2025, culminated this week with an extensive presentation before the Vernon County Finance Committee, where historical society staff made a passionate plea to restore their funding.
The budget dispute began in November 2025 when the county board finalized a balanced budget that required deep cuts to discretionary programs. Facing a severe cash crunch driven by rising Human Services out-of-home placements, software cost increases, and a $2.2 million tax levy apportionment error, the Finance Committee reduced the historical society’s annual stipend by 25 percent, cutting it from $50,000 to $37,500.
During the November budget adoption meeting, Supervisor Sandy Schweiger proposed an amendment to restore the $12,500 cut using Ho-Chunk Nation grant funds, which the county receives annually through tribal gaming agreements. The proposal sparked an intense debate over accountability and fiscal restraint.
Supervisor Nathaniel Slack opposed restoring the funds without guaranteed county oversight, arguing that the board was acting irresponsibly by handing over thousands of dollars without a clear understanding of the society’s internal finances.
“I feel like we should have a seat at that table to help encourage them to find alternative funding, instead of just saying, every year, here is $50,000 you know, go do as you will,” said Slack. “Handing over money with no seat at the table is less than responsible.”
Other supervisors questioned the historical society’s self-funding efforts. Supervisor John Pedretti criticized the organization for running a free museum and failing to generate its own revenue. He pointed out that the Sherry-Butt House, a historic home operated by the society, was a financial liability that cost $6,600 to maintain while generating only $2,800 in revenue. Pedretti suggested that the society should consider selling the property to fund its operations.
Supervisor Lonnie Muller strongly defended their fundraising efforts, noting that they are constantly organizing local events to bring in cash.
“You obviously have not been participating in all the fundraising events that they have throughout each year,” said Muller.
Supervisor Mary Henry pointed out that the society actively writes grants and relies heavily on volunteers. She noted that they had recently raised over $100,000 independently to install heating and air conditioning on the upper floors of the museum.
However, Supervisor Will Beitlich defended the initial budget cut, reminding the board that the county was already borrowing more than $4.7 million for roads and capital improvements. Beitlich warned that continuing to borrow and spend on discretionary programs would eventually leave the county unable to pay for essential services.
“I mean, when we sat there, you know, it is a sign of the times that we are all short of money,” said Beitlich. “Next year is going to be even more of a challenge, so we thought this year was the year to start trimming off the excess any place we could.”
The amendment to restore the funding failed on a 5 to 13 vote.
Historical society addresses four points of confusion
In response to the budget cut, historical society leaders appeared before the Finance Committee on January 20, 2026, to address what Board President Dian Krause described as four specific points of confusion regarding their admission fees, countywide representation, fundraising, and governance.
Krause clarified that the museum does request a suggested donation of $6 for adults and $3 for children, though they use a flexible policy to ensure low-income residents are not turned away. She also detailed their countywide outreach, which includes driving tours of historic one-room schoolhouses and cemetery walks in Hillsboro, Genoa, Coon Valley, Westby, and Viroqua.
To demonstrate the educational value of their archives, historical society board member Kevin Alderson explained that the museum’s research materials are vital for local historians and writers. Alderson also provided the committee with historical context on how the county’s funding was originally established. He explained that until 2010, the museum curators were full-time county employees, and the current stipend was established as a cost-saving measure when the non-profit society agreed to take over the employment burden.
“There must have been some kind of understanding between the County Board and the Historical Society board that if we took over, or they took over, the employee, there would be funding coming from the county to help defray salary,” said Alderson. “It was actually a cost saving way for the county board.”
Brian Ekern, the society’s vice president, made an appeal, reminding supervisors that the museum preserves the stories of local heroes like World War II pilot Joshua Sanford and Gettysburg Medal of Honor recipient Francis Waller.
“Please do not hinder the future Joshua Sanfords and Francis Wallers from fulfilling their aspirations in this the 250th year of our country’s birth,” said Ekern. “Practically speaking, this cut is going to diminish the museum and its attendant benefits to all of Vernon County citizens.”
Despite the appeals, Finance Committee Chair Kay Stanek advised the group to be realistic, warning them to plan for flat funding in the next budget cycle.
Committee tours museum and reviews economic impact
The dialogue continued on July 2, 2026, when the Economic Development Committee held its monthly meeting directly at the Vernon County Museum in Viroqua. Museum curators took the opportunity to show supervisors their extensive archives and discuss the economic benefits of local heritage tourism.
Bridget Van Beckum, a newly hired assistant curator, shared her perspective as a newcomer to Vernon County, comparing the local museum to Calumet County near her hometown of Appleton. Van Beckum noted that Calumet County has a larger population of 50,000 but its historical museum is only open three hours a week in the summer because it is run entirely by volunteers.
“It is really kind of rare for a community of this size to have a historical society and a museum this good,” said Van Beckum. “A lot of that does come down to being able to have paid staff.”
Van Beckum presented a guest book analysis showing that the museum had attracted visitors from 26 states and several international locations over the past year. Many out-of-town visitors travel to Viroqua specifically to research their genealogy, which directly boosts the local economy as they spend money on food, gas, and lodging.
During the tour, John Pedretti again raised concerns about the financial burden of the Sherry-Butt House. Committee members John Pedretti and David Strudthoff suggested that the society make the difficult decision to liquidate the property, which is estimated to be worth $330,000, and invest the proceeds to secure the museum’s long-term future.
Supervisor Alycann Taylor noted that there had been a misunderstanding on the county board that the previous $50,000 allocation was a temporary capital increase specifically for the air conditioning project, rather than an ongoing operational contribution. Taylor called for greater financial transparency to help supervisors advocate for the museum’s funding.
August presentation details financial realities
The month of discussions led to the August 18, 2026, Finance Committee meeting, where Krause and museum staff delivered an itemized presentation of their annual revenues and expenses. Krause reported that the board has taken the county’s feedback seriously and is currently holding special meetings to draft a five-year financial plan.
During the presentation, Krause displayed a breakdown of their 2025 general fund income, which totaled $90,821. The county’s $50,000 stipend accounted for 53 percent of their revenue, followed by 15 percent from fundraising, 12 percent from donations and research, 7 percent from memberships, 7 percent from interest and dividends, 4 percent from other sources, and 2 percent from gift shop sales.
On the expense side, payroll and associated employment taxes accounted for 58 percent of the budget, while general museum operations consumed 27 percent. The Sherry-Butt House accounted for 5 percent of expenses, fundraising took 4 percent, general administrative costs took 4 percent, and the county-owned Saint Mary’s Church took 2 percent.
Krause explained that the loss of $12,500 in county support has forced the society to pull money directly from its limited operating reserves to pay staff wages. The deficit is compounded by rising utility bills, which increased after the museum installed climate controls on its upper floors.
“The funds that we currently receive from the county go entirely towards the wages of our two part-time employees,” said Krause.
Krause added that the society has raised prices on memberships, copies, and research fees over the past 18 months to try to bridge the gap, but they still project a $14,000 deficit for the current year.
Following the presentation, John Pedretti asked if the Sherry-Butt House was a primary drain on their resources. Krause acknowledged that the property is expensive to maintain but argued that it provides unique storytelling opportunities. Kristen Parrott added that the society is actively researching how other historic homes across the country are adapting to declining attendance.
Parrott also clarified that two county-owned properties operated by the society—the historic church and the schoolhouse on Broadway—are run strictly as museums by appointment, not as commercial venues.
Finance Director Anne Lockyer noted that the county’s fiscal health was much stronger in 2023 and 2024 when the $50,000 contribution was approved, largely due to federal stimulus funds that are no longer available in 2026.
The committee took no immediate action on the request, but Stanek thanked the historical society for their detailed presentation and their willingness to engage in the budget process early. The committee will begin reviewing preliminary department budgets and tax levy limits in September, where the historical society’s request for restored funding will be considered alongside competing county priorities.
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