Endowment contributions provide long-term support for the museum’s mission. While income from endowment fund donations provides funding for specific expenses, the after-inflation principal is preserved in perpetuity. The Museum holds two separate endowment funds.

General Endowment

Earnings are used to fund plant and equipment expenses and two summer intern positions. The General Endowment allows us to maintain the Museum’s historic structures and the Wheeler Restoration Center. Endowment funds are not used for general operating expenses such as salaries and utilities.

Kenneth E. Conger Educational Endowment

This endowment makes possible our Full-Day Education Programs by funding salaries and wages for our education staff. Each school year, the museum hosts nearly 3,000 area students for full-day education programs. We are currently presenting four programs for area schools and homeschools with endowment support.

• Journey to Sheboygan County,
• Historic Jobs of Sheboygan County,
• The Civil War and Sheboygan County, and
• First Peoples of Sheboygan County.

Full-Day Education Programs offer elementary students the opportunity to experience American History hands-on, through the lens of Sheboygan County. Open to public and private schools and homeschool groups, our Full-Day Education Programs meet Wisconsin and District curriculum standards.