Art and Community are essential elements of
The Volland Foundation.
The Volland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, owns and operates The Volland Store and various other sites in the historic town of Volland, Kansas. The foundation seeks to create a place for gathering and exchanging ideas, to present events that nourish the human spirit and provide enjoyment, and to enhance economic development in surrounding communities . The Volland Foundation offers a residency program that provides time and space for artists, scientists, writers, poets, musicians, designers, and historians to experience the tallgrass prairie and engage in the culture of our rural community.
From a Store to a Foundation.
Otto Kratzer was an original Storekeeper of Kratzer Bros. Mercantile from 1913 to 1971. Through his infectious personality and delight in introducing new ideas to his neighbors, he made the Store the cultural and social center of the surrounding community. The Store closed upon his death and sat vacant for more than forty years.
After a major renovation, the Volland Store reopened in 2015 and became an inviting and comfortable place to gather, experience new ideas, greet old friends and make new ones. Art exhibitions, music concerts, poetry readings, book signings, and talks by scientists and authors brought a lively and entertaining scene to the little town of Volland.
In 2021 The Volland Store was donated by its owners to The Volland Foundation. The Volland Store continues to serve as the anchor of the foundation’s activities in Volland. In 2022 The “Ruin” of Otto Kratzer’s house (on the lawn of the Store) was refurbished into an outdoor performance venue for music and theatre. In 2023 an official Residency Program was initiated. A “trail” through the Volland grounds, open every day of the year from dawn to dusk, offers a walk through the history of Volland, the nearby woods, and the discovery of sculptures along the way.
Otto Kratzer
JOIN OUR VOLLAND SUPPORTERS
At the Volland Foundation, we believe that supporting the arts, humanities, and science is more important than ever. Friends of Volland invest in a Place for Art and Community by supporting the cultural and educational programming of the Volland Foundation.
If you would like to be part of what’s happening at Volland – and one of our ever-growing community of people who enjoy art, music, and lively entertainment that lift your spirits and nourish your soul, please consider making a 2025 gift, or renewing your “Friend”ship! – to keep things happening in the best way at Volland!
Make checks payable to Volland Foundation and mail to:
The Volland Foundation
PO Box 144
Alma, KS 66401
Please indicate Donation on the memo line of your check.
-or-
Donations to The Volland Foundation are tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor to determine the best way to report your contribution.
THANK YOU!
Sponsored in part by the State of Kansas, through the
Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts
for their generous support of the Volland Residency Program
2025 Friends of Volland
Thank you for helping to ensure that the foundation’s mission
endures into the future
($4000+)
Margo Kren
($2000+)
Brigid & Jamie Hall Judy & Joe Moody Richard Porter Patty & Jerry Reece Tray & Lisa Vedock
($1000+)
Patrick & Harriet Brazil Virginia Fisher Shirley & Barnett Helzberg, Jr.
Tom & Dee Jones Kevin & Kristi Martinez Cara & Henry Newell
Sara & David O’Connell Ryan & Heather Powell Gregory Kennedy & Marguerite Quirey
Robert D. Regnier Fund Michael Riley Betsey & Rick Solberg
The Stueck Family Foundation Blake Thomas
($500-$999)
Alma Area Foundation Nancy Simons Bean Brad Bradley Peter & Lynne Brown Jon & Kelly Callen
Kay & John Callison Nicholas Clark Pam & Gary Gradinger
Steve & Beverly Johnston Bill (d.) & Regina Kort Bill & Peggy Lyons
Ryan & Sarah McQueary
John Pollack & Lynne Farrington (In memory of Mary Helm Pollack)
Michael Stubbs Kathy & Dan Swenson George Terbovich Frank & Helen Wewers Greg & Dina Wingfield
($250- $499)
Anonymous Joy Swallow & Brian Ball Cindy Carnahan
Anthony & Carole Chelz Susanne Siepl-Coates & Gary Coates
Eileen Cohen Tony Crawford David Dettmer Sarah Frederick
Amanda & Alex Gnadt Don & Rosa Hendricks Morgan & Tyler Holloman
Byron & Martha Long Ed & Linda McConwell Mike Michaelis
Heidi and Nelson Nast/KC Studio Magazine Kathleen Seacat Steve & Whitney Short The Airheads of Kansas
($100 – $249)
Ann Vigola Anderson Suzie Aron Tom & Heather Beggs Julie Brake
Janice Briggs Graham Barnes & Linda Carter Robert Cantin Joann & Michael Chaffee
Lynn Ewanow & Lorn Clement Shelly Doucet Kevin & Pat Doyle Patty & Harvey Grossman
Ken Grotewiel Jerry Haahr Laurie Hamilton Gwendolyn Hendricks Bruce & Lucinda Hogle
Kathy Hogue in memory of Bill Hogue Mission Valley Ranch
Saralyn Reece Hardy Jim Hoy (d.) Annette & Steven Huff Kathie Hummel
Judith Major & James Jones Donna Katz Rick & Lydia Marien
Deborah & George McCaskill Jill Marietta Mignacca
Arturo & Wrenn Pacheco Town & Rosa Peterson Connie Poole Martin & Susan Rose
Farm Bureau Agent- Rob Sage Barbara & Larry Schulte, Jr. Jessie Sharp (in honor of Jerry Reece)
Wade Smith Mary Louise & Eric Stahl Stockgrowers State Bank
Kelly Taylor & Joe Tomelleri Keen & Eileen Umbehr
Lawrence & Janiece Vohland Judith Waugh Jerry & Elizabeth Wigglesworth
Ann Wylie Randy Zelenka
($50-$99)
Alma Chamber of Commerce Brian Bohnsack Jack & Kay Ann Feiden
Susan & William Ford Daniel & Donna Frese Barbara Gatewood Pat Kehde
Steve & Sheila Knapp George & Carolyn Kroh Lawyers Title of Kansas
Iris Joyce Mathies
Dr. Verne Claussen Jr./Mill Creek Lodge at Volland Point
Maureen Olewnik Alicia Stott
($5-$49)
Lonnie Buerge Julie Devader Richard & Marsha Miller Susan Rudder Helen Umbehr
In-Kind Donors
2 Bar D Ranch Brandt House Fashion Studies Program, Kansas State University Stockgrowers State Bank
Wabaunsee County Historical Society
Every contribution is important to us. Thank you!
As a Friend of Volland, you receive recognition on the website and in The Volland Foundation’s gallery. Your donation helps provide experiences that nourish the human spirit and provide enjoyment, provide a place for gathering and building community, support artist residencies, and enhance economic development in surrounding rural communities. Your support ensures that the Volland Foundation will enrich community from near and far, into the future.
Volunteer at Volland
The Volland Foundation welcomes volunteers! Your talent and good cheer are an important contribution in making the Volland Store a fun place to be, and we truly appreciate your enthusiasm.
If you would like to join our family of volunteers, please visit Volunteer Sign Up.
We appreciate our Volunteers!
Make checks payable to Volland Foundation and mail to:
The Volland Foundation
PO Box 144
Alma, KS 66401
Please indicate Donation on the memo line of your check.
-or-
The Volland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Consult your tax advisor to determine the best way to report your contribution.
photo by Lily Brooks
Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
