History is about looking back, but the Watkins Community Museum of History needs some people to look forward and create a more productive future for its facility and staff.

It’s difficult to watch the struggles that have plagued the Watkins Community Museum of History for a number of years.

This area is rich in history that should be shared both within the community and with visitors from elsewhere, and it’s a shame the museum can’t seem to put together a dynamic program to accomplish that mission.

Douglas County commissioners now are calling the museum and its board to account. About a third of the museum’s annual budget comes from county tax money, and commissioners aren’t happy about continuing to pour money into an organization that isn’t fulfilling its charge. The Douglas County Historical Society, which operates the museum, has watched its reserve funds dwindle in recent years and has had limited success in raising new money. Personality and personnel conflicts have split the historical society and its board as well as affecting the society’s ability to raise money.

The loss of county funding would be devastating to the museum, and it’s doubtful commissioners would allow this to happen. County commissioners surely are loathe to withhold funds, but they have been patiently awaiting signs of of progress and vision at the museum for a number of years. It’s not unreasonable for them to demand some results.

Some group or individuals  a museum staff member, members of the volunteer board, an outside consultant, a county official  must take a leadership role in setting a direction for Watkins Museum. The staff and volunteers apparently have become so mired in conflict that they can’t find their way out of the mess to envision a more productive future for the museum.

The former Watkins Bank building is a wonderful, historical site for the museum and there is tremendous interest in Lawrence and Douglas County history. The museum has a serious mission to collect and preserve local artifacts, but that’s just the start. There would seem to be ample opportunities for fun and entertaining programming that would bring people of all ages to the museum to learn more about local history. Such events not only could produce some additional revenue but also could build public support for the museum and its mission.

Making excuses won’t get the job done. It’s not enough to simply bemoan the situation and wait for something to happen. The museum needs a plan to get it moving again. That plan can come from inside the organization or from outside, but the board must set a course and move forward.

In Monday’s Journal-World, one board member suggested it might be time for the board to “fold our tents and steal away.” Changes may be needed, and some may be painful, but it simply is not acceptable for a community with as rich a history as Lawrence’s to simply fold its tents and give up on preserving the stories of its past.

County commissioners are well within their rights to ask the Watkins Museum board to get the museum and its employees moving in a more positive direction. Hopefully, someone will provide the needed leadership to get the job done. It doesn’t do any good to point fingers. Board members need to display vision and leadership. Maybe it’s time for a new board and/or new management. The status quo is not acceptable.