About

The Augusta Historical Society has been in existence since 1938. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and exhibit artifacts of historical significance to Augusta. We promote the historical education of school-age children and the general public.

Our organization consists of 9 local board members and a part-time Director. We have a ‘working board’ that participate in fund-raising events as well as overseeing the maintenance of our facility. We have over 150 volunteers helping with various functions throughout the year, including high school students, Miss Augusta, and Miss Butler, as well as area cooks and decorators.

We receive numerous research requests throughout the year and our Director posts biographical sketches of early Augustans on social media, positively impacting the community interest in historical Augusta. The Director is often asked to speak to clubs and organizations concerning the Museum and early Augusta.

We have between 2000-3000 visitors annually including local and out of town residents, some as far away as Europe and Asia.

C. N. James Cabin

The C. N. James Cabin is the oldest building in Augusta. It was built in 1868 as a trading post and general store by William Shamleffer and C. N. James after they purchased the 80 acres for $40 on which the Augusta townsite was developed.

Shortly after it began its life as a general store, it became Augusta’s first post office and Augusta’s first school was held upstairs. Over time, the building served as a school room, a meeting room for organizations and church services.

Originally, there were no stairs in the Cabin, so students attending school and church members were required to climb up a ladder on the outside of the building and crawl through a window to reach the upstairs loft. The Trading Post soon became the location of Augusta’s first Post Office after the settlers decided to name their community ‘Augusta’ named for the wife of C. N. James.

The Cabin is sitting on its original site, never having been moved. It is built of cottonwood logs from the banks of the Walnut River. Area churches and organizations met upstairs as well. Through the years, it has been repaired and refurbished, with the most recent repairs being made to the east wall when several decayed logs were replaced by new cottonwood logs.

C.N. James Cabin front

Cabin 1st floor

Cabin 2nd floor

Cabin outside

Meet the Board of directors

Keith Scholfield, President
Jane Mathias, Vice-President
Rachelle Meinecke, Secretary
Bob Sage
Scott Cheslic
Eldon Foreman
Shirley Stueven
Walter Burress
Casey Socha
Gary Kiser
Bill Johnson
Bryce Cook
Ruth Burress
Lisa White

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