ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- On March 20th, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) axed funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Now, one local museum is feeling the impact and will have to find an alternative way to receive grants.

"The way the Chemung County Historical Society (CCHS) uses/applies for IMLS funding is for big projects. [We don't apply every year], it is project-based funding and IMLS supports that kind of work... If we wanted to do some sort of big exhibit that would require us to bring in some outside experts, that money is gone," said the Director of CCHS, Bruce Whitmarsh.

The CCHS's goal is to collect, preserve, and share stories from the county. Whitmarsh said with the funding cuts, the opportunities have become smaller to do more significant projects.

"Right now day-to-day, I can keep my doors open, but to do some really big interesting things to make some really big [and] interesting changes just got a lot harder. For the foreseeable future, [there's] no immediate impact. The project I had applied for to IMLS, if I didn’t get the money, I wasn’t going to do the project. Now with IMLS gone, that project’s not going to happen. We sort of have to fall back, reset, and think about where we can find the funding now," said Whitmarsh.

Whitmarsh said they will look at all of the alternative funding options. He said he knows other museums/historical societies are doing the same thing, and understands what funding sources are available are going to be stretched even thinner.

Whitmarsh said CCHS will remain open and continue doing programs. He said they'll have to brainstorm a bit more for some of the bigger things they hope to do within the next 12-36 months as there will be fewer funding opportunities.

Whitmarsh encourages people to visit CCHS on W. Water St. in Elmira, Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of admission is as follows:

Adults (19-55): $5
Senior Citizens (over 55): $3
Students (6-18): $1
Kids 5 & Under: Free