By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

The Ellis County Historical Society is looking for friends.

Sharon Behrman, co-director of the society's museum, is hosting a meeting Thursday to find more volunteers to help at the museum. The group of volunteers will be called Friends of the Museum.

"I just thought we could use some help, and that might be the way to go," Behrman said.

She likened the group to the Friends of the Library organization at Hays Public Library.

At the first meeting of Friends of the Museum, Behrman said she hopes to educate potential volunteers on the opportunities available at the museum.

"It's more than just answering the phones," Behrman said.

The museum needs volunteers in the archives department to update databases, clip newspapers and do research. Behrman said the museum also could use people to be clerks in the store and work at the admissions desk.

"We're always needing help at the events, too," Behrman said.

The Friends group also could have fundraisers or other events to benefit the historical society. She anticipates the group meeting occasionally to plan ways to help or better the museum.

The first Friends of the Museum meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Stone Church, which is attached to the museum at 100 W. Seventh.