Jeff Schmitt Elected President of Dubois County Museum Board

Jeff Schmitt was elected president of the Dubois County Museum Board of Directors at the reorganizational meeting Jan. 22, stepping into a role that centers on stewardship of one of the county’s largest cultural collections. Schmitt, a Haysville resident who began volunteering at the museum in 2020, has served on the board since 2023 and worked as recording secretary in 2023 and 2024 before assuming the chair of the Collections Department in 2024.

Schmitt oversees six volunteers in Collections and is responsible for collecting, cataloging and preserving more than 66,000 artifacts. Those responsibilities tie directly to the museum’s immediate needs: facility upkeep and climate-control work that affect artifact preservation and public access. Treasurer Julia Flynn outlined planned improvements in 2023, including roof repairs, exterior painting and a lobby remodel; those projects remain central to the museum’s ability to host schools, community groups and visiting researchers.

Victor Betz was reelected vice president, Julia Flynn was reelected treasurer and Joann Schnarr was reelected secretary. The board used the annual reorganization to recognize two longtime members who have stepped away. Bruce Heeke, who served six years on the board and was president for the past two years, and Margaret “Peg” Wagner, who served in roles including treasurer and membership chairman, were both thanked for their service. “The board thanks them for their service.” The Board expressed its appreciation to both Heeke and Wagner for their dedication and contributions to the museum.

Board composition remains broad, with returning or continuing members including Kathy Bachman, W. Jean Hoffman, Joe Shelton, Elaine Hopf, Gary Eck, Gene Welp, Terry Flick, Taylor O’Bryan, Vicki Wiederkehr, Dr. Ryan Flamion, Sandy Miller, Kurt Vonderheide and Cheryl Sermersheim, who has returned to the board. The museum’s 2023 records show Schmitt and several colleagues were elected to three-year terms that year; those earlier elections, combined with recent departures, highlight turnover and continuity that affect planning and volunteer capacity.

Beyond artifact care, the museum functions as a community health asset by offering educational programming, social connection and local history that support mental well-being and lifelong learning. The institution’s heavy reliance on volunteers and deferred facility work illustrates broader equity and access issues: safe, accessible buildings and stable staffing affect whether seniors, students and under-resourced residents can fully benefit from exhibits and programs.

With Jeff Schmitt moving into the presidency, the museum’s immediate priorities are likely to remain collections care, volunteer support and finishing deferred repairs so exhibits and programs can operate safely. Residents interested in the museum’s schedule, volunteer opportunities or progress on repairs should expect upcoming announcements from the board as it sets goals under its new leadership.