VIENNA — The Historical Society of Maries County has received three grants in May and June to fund additions to its facility at the Old Jail Museum complex, according to a press release from President Lisa Jones.

Mid America Bank donated $2,500, and Vichy Solar donated $3,000 for the project. The disbanded American Legion Post 12 is also donating about $1,300 of its remaining funds. The historical society has received about $37,170 in donations in total.

“We were very fortunate that we were able to get those. We have a very generous community,” Jones said.

The goal of this expansion is to showcase the county’s agricultural history. The historical society had several artifacts in storage for years but now plans to display them, starting Aug. 1 at its grand reopening.

Artifacts include a horse-drawn carriage, farm equipment and an old mail car that contributed to the development of Maries County.

To fund this project, the historical society held fundraisers, a craft show and a quilt raffle. The grants helped the historical society meet other needs such as making the building accessible for those with disabilities and fixing a problem with the electrical system.

The historical society’s goal is to collect and preserve artifacts relevant to Maries County history and to educate and make residents proud of their history.