Free transportation to the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum is available to teachers and students through the Monroe County Historical Society Transportation Grant Program.

Summary: The Monroe County Historical Society will provide a limited amount of transportation grants to Monroe County schools for the purpose of visiting historic sites and museums in Monroe County.

Background: With the rise of fuel costs and the regular cutting of school budgets, field trip opportunities are diminishing for our county’s students. This means that teachers desiring to teach their students about Monroe County history and cultural heritage must do so within the confines of the classroom. Some schools are in close proximity to a museum and may walk to that museum, while the rest of our county schools are left out due to geographical distance.

Program: Part of the MCHS mission is to promote Monroe County’s rich history and extend access to that history. MCHS can fulfill that mission by bringing Monroe County students to the county’s museums and historic sites. MCHS will designate a specific amount of funds each year to be used only for deferring transportation costs incurred by school field trips. County teachers will apply for this grant money and, upon approval of the MCHS Grant Committee, will receive funding to pay for the transportation of their students to visit Monroe County historic sites and/or museums.

Stipulations: Grant monies are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Only transportation costs are covered by this grant (eg. driver, vehicle rental, fuel). Field trip destinations must be within Monroe County and must include a visit to one or more of the following MCHS project sites: 1) Monroe County Local History Room & Museum, 2) Deke Slayton Space & Bicycle Museum, 3) Brackett One-Room School, 4) Big Creek Church, 5) Wegner Grotto County Park. Applications should be submitted 4-6 weeks prior to target field trip date.

Teachers interested in applying for transportation grant monies may download a copy of the application HERE.

Questions about the Bus Grant Program may be directed to the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum: MCLHR@centurytel.net or by calling: 608-269-8680.

Deadlines: application deadlines are posted on the Application Form.