By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

HOXIE -- For 90 minutes Tuesday evening, supporters of the targeted-for-closure Cottonwood Ranch engaged in a fencing game with the director of the state's historic sites.

Supporters would thrust with pointed questions about how best to save the site, while Terry Marmet, the architect of the closing, would deflect the questions, detailing the small amount of visitation and the budget crisis that has all but crippled the Kansas State Historical Society.

Even pointed comments about the disparity of cuts in eastern vs. western Kansas didn't do much, other than elicit applause from the almost 100 people from five area counties.

Ultimately, there was talk of efforts on the part of area historical groups to either raise money to keep the site open or simply purchase it from the state and operate it locally.

Either way, Marmet would make no promises -- other than to relay information to the historical society's director and then contact Jane Haffner, president of the Friends of the Cottonwood Ranch.

Cottonwood Ranch, located just outside the Sheridan County community of Studley, has been targeted for closure on Sept. 5. Its long-time director Don Rowlison would be laid off if he declines the chance to work four hours a week as groundskeeper. Or he can retire.

Marmet, the director of the state's 16 historic sites, was in Hoxie Tuesday in response to letters asking why the state plans to close the historic Cottonwood Ranch.

Cuts in the historic society's budget, amounting to 17 percent, Marmet said, required dramatic moves, including the closing of historic sites. Historic Fort Hays wasn't spared either, he said, with hours for two of its three employees cut in half.

Cottonwood Ranch is the only historic site, however, that will be closed permanently, converted into a drive-through attraction. Eastern Kansas sites will be closed temporarily.

Marmet said the decision to close Cottonwood Ranch was made based on its low visitation rates, only 594 paid visits in 2008. All told, about 2,200 people visited the site, either paying the admission fee or attending special events.

But because of the cost of a salary and utilities amounting to about $54,000, he said, each visitor is costing the state about $25.

As the question-and-answer session continued, a glimmer of hope emerged that perhaps if supporters were able to raise as little as $10,000 -- to cover the 17 percent budget cut -- the future of the site might secure.

But as Marmet talked, he told of the dire situation, and how money once dedicated to Cottonwood was being used elsewhere.

That prompted Fred Pratt, Hill City, to ask if raising even $10,000 would ensure the survival of the ranch.

The focus then shifted to how cuts were made in the historical society and the possibility of a historic group buying the site.

Marmet again said he could promise nothing, but said he thought the state society might be willing to sell to a local non-profit group, subject to approval by the Kansas Legislature.

"My assumption is what we paid for it," he said of what a price might be.

The historical society paid $25,000 for the ranch house and the more than 20 acres around it.

"Like I said, the historical sites board is not looking to make money," he said.