MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Historical Society is entering what leaders describe as a "new era" with the hiring of a new chief curator and plans to make local history more interactive, accessible and engaging for residents of all ages.
Jenn Fine, a Hutchinson native, recently joined the organization as chief curator after working as a social studies teacher. Fine said the position allows her to continue educating, but on a broader community level.
"I really wanted to teach on just a bigger level and get more in contact with our community and help that passion for history hopefully thrive," Fine said.
Fine, who earned a master's degree during the COVID-19 pandemic, said she has long dreamed of working in a museum and sees the position as an opportunity to preserve Reno County's heritage while creating engaging experiences for visitors.
"I kind of just want to bring our archives to life so that any visitor, whether you are born and raised in Hutch, like I am, or if you're touring in for the state fair from somewhere else, that you feel connected to that history," she said.
Bronwyn Page, director of operations for the Reno County Historical Society, said Fine's experience as a teacher will help the museum connect with younger audiences.
"One of our things that we really want to try to do with our community is get our younger kids excited about history, because it really is fun," Page said. "Those stories are retold in different ways in the books you read, in the video games that are being played. It all comes from a story of history."
Page said the museum hopes to introduce new exhibits and programs that present local history in more modern, interactive ways.
One Historical Society, Two Museums
During the interview, Page and Fine also addressed a common misconception about the Reno County Museum and Strataca.
Many residents, they said, don't realize both attractions operate under the Reno County Historical Society.
When Strataca opened in the early 2000s, there were discussions about eventually relocating the Reno County Museum to create a single history campus. While that move never occurred, the two museums have remained sister organizations under the same umbrella.
Fine said her responsibilities include helping preserve the collections and history shared by both museums.
Why Preserving History Matters
Both women emphasized that preserving local history has practical value beyond education.
Page pointed to the 2001 Hutchinson natural gas explosions, when original maps preserved by the museum helped emergency officials locate gas lines after other records had been lost.
"It was the Reno County Museum that actually had the original plat maps and the lines that every other institution had already discarded or didn't have," Page said. "They were able to come and use that information in order to find where the gas was traveling in order to stop it."
Fine added that protecting historical records ensures future generations understand both the community's successes and challenges.
"If you don't learn from history, it will repeat itself," she said. "We have over 40,000 archives in our collection that tell the story of who we are."
Goals for the Future
Fine said one of her immediate priorities is learning the position while building relationships throughout the community and understanding what residents want from their historical society.
She also hopes to expand exhibits and create more hands-on experiences for families and children.
Page acknowledged that staffing and budget limitations have slowed exhibit development in recent years but said the organization now has renewed momentum.
She also confirmed the Historical Society is in the very early stages of exploring whether relocating the Reno County Museum to the Strataca campus is feasible. She stressed that no decisions have been made and discussions remain preliminary.
Twilight Jubilee Celebration
The Historical Society's next major community event is the Great American Twilight Jubilee on June 27, celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.
The event will feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Daughters of the American Revolution, a flag ceremony by the Sons of the American Revolution, food trucks, carnival games, a car show organized with Kansas for Vets, Honor Flight representatives and historical demonstrations.
Page said the evening is designed to bring the community together while celebrating both American and Reno County history.
"It's just a fun little small-town community pride event," she said.