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Helping people protect, enhance
and enjoy the places that matter to them

Norton County Community Foundation

This place matters to a small community of 3,000 people in rural America.  

Moulton's Drug Store building is the anchor to Norton's Downtown Historic District as recognized by the Kansas State Historical Society and the National Registry of Historic Places.  The east side of the building faces Courthouse Square; the west faces Kansas Highway 283, or State Street, in the heart of downtown.  This place matters because it has been in the hub of our commercial district since 1906.  At age 105 the building is sound and aging gracefully, but is in need of a facelift.  The Norton County Community Foundation* was the leader in securing historic status for the district and has selected Moulton's Drug Store as the first renovation project.  The building is the largest of the sixty-one properties making up the district, and will be a show piece for additional renovations. 

This Victorian structure in the town's mercantile district is being evaluated by Treanor Architects (Topeka, KS) because of their background in historic preservation.  The renovation plan includes upper floor galleries /offices and main floor commercial space, all with its original Victorian flair. Every consideration will be given to detail, to maintain the integrity of the turn-of-the-century appearance.

This place matters because it gives us a chance to bring a museum and historic paintings together for community viewing.  The renovation will allow an opening for art and history showcase in the district.  Two possibilities include: an historic museum and art gallery.   The Also Ran Gallery is looking for a new location. Their museum highlights candidates for U.S. President that lost the election.  It is located on the second floor of a local bank.  The location makes viewing the Presidential candidates’ information available only from 9am-3pm Monday through Friday.   A second prospect is an art gallery featuring local artists.  The “base” exhibit for this gallery will be twelve large canvases depicting the history of Norton County.  The paintings were done by a famous Kansas artist to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the county.  The fragile pieces have been warehoused nearly 40 years waiting for a permanent home.  Having the funds to restore the Moulton’s Drug Store building would mean pulling more visitors to the downtown area for sightseeing and shopping.  A lagging rural economy would be energized by this economic activity.  This project is important, not just as one building, but as the start of our downtown revitalization.  Grant money will be used to finish the exterior of the building.  Cleaning of the old bricks has been completed and a crew has repaired the aging façade and decorative trim, restoring the look to 1906.  The same restorative work needs to be done to the highway side of this treasure. 


*  The Norton County Community Foundation is an affiliate of Kearney Community Foundation, Kearney, Nebraska.

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