09/05/2026
The topic of the Jesse James Bank came up in the Liberty Tribune Newspaper. The article is “fairly” accurate.
My response:
With all due respect..,
Regarding the proposal to cancel the lease agreement for the Historic Jesse James Bank Museum: our historic places are meant to tell our complete stories—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Jesse James is exclusive to Clay County, and having two distinct sites is a major asset.
Just this past Wednesday, I visited both the Bank and the Farm and spoke with tourists from Germany, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.
Jesse James’s global footprint includes over 75 films, 15 major documentaries, and 600 publications.
And where was he born? Forever resides?
Tourism is an industry we must cultivate. State data shows every $1 spent on site admission generates up to $7 in secondary economic activity.
Cultural tourists stay longer and spend 25% to 35% more per day, supporting local dining, shopping, and tax revenues, if prompted.
I encourage citizens to visit the bank and look for yourselves:
Was the gift shop encouraging purchases? Was it full?
Was there children's art posted in the bank room?
Was it an enthusiastic guided tour, or did the QR code work?
These are all marketing and management questions.
I believe our site challenges stem from a lack of administrative oversight and knowledge, not a lack of public interest:
Management vs. Directing: Managing people, property, and paper isn't enough.
“If you build it, they will come" fails without active outreach and trained staff.
Deferred Maintenance: COVID-era plastic shields remain up, visible wood rot affects the Farm Home, and $8,000 in iPad equipment sits non-functional.
No Business Plan: Four years of data show these sites lack a strategic business plan focused on marketing and operational sustainability.
In the western Museum industry, they are seeing a resurgence due to what’s called the Yellowstone effect.
Within the past, leadership laid out a clear vision for Clay County heritage, insisting the County save the Farm and holding that exact same passion for saving the Bank Museum.
Promoted together, both sites elevate each other. Closing the Bank sets a dangerous precedent for our fragile 19th-century inventory.
As seen with the Claybrook House fire, historical assets disappear quickly. If we judge sites strictly by direct profit, what comes next? Pharis Farm? Mount Gilead? The James Farm with the rotting front porch?
Clay County routinely invests millions into parks and greenways that generate zero direct ticket revenue.
We don't close parks for failing to turn a profit on paper. Historic sites are our cultural trails—they deserve that same public commitment.
I encourage people to watch the Commission meeting from Thursday, August 27.
I ask the Commission to pause this cancellation request from parks department and grant a minimum 12-month strategic evaluation period with professionals who understand marketing and promotion to transition to dynamic directing.
Let us honor our county's legacy and preservation leaders by marketing our history—not surrendering it.
Thank you.
*****************thoughts?
