Ashley, the Hutchinson County Museum director, updated the court on a busy season at the museum, including a quilt show that drew large crowds and international visitors, a donated 1920s X-ray machine exhibit and expanded public and school programs.

"We've had over 2,000 visitors since January," Ashley told the court, and she described international visitors interested in local historical figures and landscape features preserved for study. She credited volunteers and local staff for hanging quilts and supporting events and described changes to the museum gift shop to offer more locally themed merchandise.

Commissioners approved a request to allow two full-time museum staff to take a floating holiday on Friday, Dec. 26, and to close the museum to the public that day; staff will post public notice. The court also accepted a $125 donation from a performer at the cowboy poetry event and thanked museum staff and volunteers for community engagement.

The museum said it will continue work on donated exhibits from Panhandle Plains, prepare for a 50th-anniversary celebration in two years and expand outreach during downtown events.