The Rogers Historical Museum, an American Alliance of Museums accredited institution, is proud to be a department of the City of Rogers and serves all of the people of Northwest Arkansas. The museum is supported by two outstanding non-profit organizations: the Rogers Historical Museum Foundation and the Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum. The museum is governed by a five-member commission appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. Daily operations are managed by a nine-member staff, with support from a loyal group of volunteers.
To get involved with the museum directly, contact Monte Harris at mharris@rogersar.gov or (479) 621-1154. You may also visit their website for more information.
In 1987, the Rogers Historical Museum endowment fund was established as a dedicated fund managed by the museum’s commission. The fund began through a large bequest from Vera Key, and it has since grown through donations and other legacies, most significantly a $500,000 endowment left to the Foundation by Kathleen Dickerson.
In 2009, the City of Rogers and the commission jointly agreed that forming a foundation to hold and oversee these funds was in the best interest of both the City and the Museum. The Rogers Museum Foundation was incorporated with the State of Arkansas on October 20, 2009.
The Rogers Historical Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established to raise funds and provide ongoing financial support to the Rogers Historical Museum, supplementing the tax-based support the museum receives as a department of the City of Rogers, Arkansas.
The Foundation’s primary goal is to grow the Aaron and Kathleen Dickerson Endowment, investing the majority of funds each year until it reaches an amount that generates a sizeable interest. The funds not invested will be available for grants to the Rogers Historical Museum to help with special projects.
To date, funds from the endowment have been used for major projects, most recently for the renovation of the Hailey Building, as well as minor work from the Hawkins House to the Eversole Collections Building. They have also covered transportation costs for local school children visiting the museum, which has become a beloved field trip for many!
The Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum is a non-profit membership organization that aids and supports the Rogers Historical Museum and is a separate entity from the Foundation. The Friends encourage membership and volunteerism, while the Foundation is a non-membership organization entrusted with the management and growth of the Rogers Historical Museum’s Endowment Funds. Neither the Friends nor the Foundation has any responsibilities involving the operation of the Museum. This responsibility is vested in the Rogers Museum Commission.
To learn more about the Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum, contact Phyllis Richardson at friendsoffice1978@gmail.com.
