Zephyr - Volume 1, Issue 4

Zephyr

FromtheKansasHistoricalSociety

March/April 2024

KANSAS DAY!

COMMEMORATING 170 YEARS SINCE KANSAS TERRITORY WAS ESTABLISHED (more on pages 4-5)

From the Executive Director Happy

Patrick

Bobbie Athon, Editor in Chief

Ashley Wunder, Managing Editor

Kim Korber, Layout Designer

Anne Dorcey, Layout Designer

Brenda Kipp, Contributing Writer

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Department of the Interior, nor does

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by the Department of the Interior. This program receives federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in

federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program activity or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240.

©2024

This advertisement for the Zephyr Bakery ran in the University Daily Kansan, a newspaper produced by students of the University of Kansas, on February 27, 1920.

Kansas Zephyr

The fragrant Zephyr bread once wafted through the streets of Lawrence. Customers could call in person and get a loaf of bread when the new Zephyr bakery opened in 1920. There on the first floor of the Bowersock building at Sixth and Massachusetts, the bakery featured large glass windows to show “every process of the bread making.” These “home made” loaves were also available in grocery stores. Customers could also find rye, graham, and raisin bread; doughnuts, cross buns, and coffee cakes.

Editor’s Notes:

Volume 1, Issue 2, Pages 12-13: Article coauthored by Lois J. Herr, MA, Education Coordinator.

Volume 1, Issue 3, Page 8: Article title should read, “Tax Credit Project: Before and After.”

Volume 1, Issue 3, Page 14: Fifth paragraph, second sentence should read, “The couple raised their twin sons, Robert Myers Ferrell and Lloyd Bayne Ferrell, in the Boston area.

From the Executive Director

Patrick Zollner

Statement on Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site

House Bill 2208 was introduced last year to transfer ownership of Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site to the Shawnee Tribe of Miami, Oklahoma. The Kansas Historical Society presented testimony in opposition to the bill at a hearing of the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs on January 24.

Shawnee Methodist Mission was founded in 1830 near Chouteau’s Trading Post in Wyandotte County. Chief Fish of the Missouri Shawnees had requested a missionary through an Indian agent, and Reverend Thomas Johnson was appointed. The first mission served the Shawnee and Delaware, but Johnson proposed building a bigger, more central school that could serve many Tribes. The current site positioned on a trail branch serving the Santa Fe and Oregon and California Trails was selected, and the school opened in 1839. Indian children of many Tribes, including the Kaw, Munsee, Delaware, Ottawa, Chippewa, Otoe, Osage, Cherokee, Peoria, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Wea, Gros Ventre, Omaha, Shawnee, and Wyandot, were sent to the school to learn basic academics, manual arts, and agriculture. Although the Quakers and Baptists also operated missions in the area, the Shawnee Mission was the largest, consisting

of 2,000 acres with 16 buildings and an enrollment of nearly 200 boys and girls aged five to 23.

The manual training portion of the school ceased in 1854, the same year Kansas Territory was established. Andrew Reeder, newly appointed territorial governor, had his offices at the mission. Following adjournment of the first territorial session in Pawnee, the territorial legislature met at the mission. It was during this session the so-called “bogus laws” were passed in an attempt to perpetuate slavery in Kansas.

In 1858 Reverend Johnson turned the school over to his oldest son, Alexander, who ran the mission until it closed in 1862. During the Civil War, Union troops barracked at the mission and fought against Price’s Confederate army at the nearby battles of the Big Blue and Westport.

Concern for preserving Shawnee Indian Mission advanced in the early 1920s. With support from the Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society and a number of women’s and patriotic organizations, the legislature authorized acquisition of the property. However, there was one hitch: several property owners refused to sell. The Kansas Supreme Court and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court tested a state law on eminent domain. The

Honoring Service Achievements

high court upheld the procedure, which would be the first and only time the state acquired property under eminent domain for historical preservation purposes.

The 1927 statute (K.S.A. 762009) emphasizes the site’s significance to Kansas territorial history and early statehood. William Connelley, then secretary (director) of the Historical Society, stated it succinctly: “No more historic site is to be found in Kansas, or the West. . .”

In the ensuing 97 years the Historical Society has preserved these three buildings to the highest preservation standards. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and became a National Historic Landmark in 1968, the highest designation in the country and one of only 26 in Kansas.

Since 2016 the Historical Society has partnered with the City of Fairway to operate the site. We are both committed to telling its complete history with accounts from all the Tribes linked to the mission. This past September these Tribes were invited to a forum to discuss how to best achieve a comprehensive reinterpretation. The next meeting will be in April.

Read my full testimony: bit.ly/kshb2208.

I want to take a moment to recognize six remarkable service achievements! I had the pleasure of presenting service pins to three individuals in November and December: Susan Forbes, reference librarian, for an incredible 50 years; Tim Rues, site administrator, for 40 years (more on page 17); and Lisa Keys, digital archivist, for 20 years. We will soon celebrate the retirements of three cherished colleagues who have devoted decades to the agency: Lois Herr, education coordinator (more in the January/February issue, page 9); Chris Garst, archeology lab supervisor (more on page 6), and Robert Arnold, grounds/custodial supervisor (more on page 22). We are immensely grateful for their service and congratulate them on these milestones.

HAPPY 163RD BIRTHDAY, KANSAS!

By Patrick Zollner, Executive Director

OnKansas Day, January 29, 2024, we had the honor of commemorating the 163rd anniversary of statehood with Governor Laura and an audience of 200 Kansans. With this year marking the 170th anniversary of the opening of Kansas Territory, the program highlighted stories from the period known as Bleeding Kansas, when antislavery and proslavery settlers arrived to vote and decide whether Kansas would become a free state.

I wish to thank the Lecompton Reenactors for their moving performances:

Tim Rues, site administrator of Constitution Hall, who portrayed James Lane; Steve and Susanne Germes for their portrayals of Governor Charles Robinson and First Lady Sara Robinson; and Deb Powell, who gave an impassioned speech as Clarina Nichols.

Though many staff members helped make this event a spectacular success,

I’d like to highlight the contributions of three. Eric Smallwood, site administrator of Grinter Place State Historic Site, delivered great insights into daily life in Kansas Territory. Guests enjoyed viewing artifacts and reproductions from the territorial and Civil War period, curated by Smallwood and Boone Dodson, museum specialist with the Kansas Historical Society. Megan Burton, state archivist, displayed items from the Docking State Office Building time capsule, recovered in 2023, along with information about the state architects involved with the original project. Burton is collecting content ideas for the next Docking building time capsule.

And what is an event without great music and cake? I must thank the musical group Maria the Mexican, featuring Maria Cuevas, Tess Cuevas, and Garrett Nordstrom, for their performance of “Home on the Range.” If you were unable to join us for Kansas Day at the Capitol, be sure to check out their rendition of our state song at TravelKS.com/KansasDay. I am also grateful to Dillon’s for providing the cake. A special thanks goes to Sheila Regehr for arranging the donation and to Shaayli Walker for creating this masterpiece inspired by Kansas symbols. We also couldn’t have done it without the support of Kansas Tourism, student volunteers from Topeka High, and everyone at the Capitol.

KANSAS!

On Sunday, January 28, I visited Constitution Hall State Historic Site in Lecompton to kick off the 2024 Bleeding Kansas program series. This popular series, begun by Site Administrator Tim Rues, is timed each year to begin around Kansas Day. Currently in its 27th season, these lectures regularly pack the house, even when the Kansas City Chiefs are playing in the AFC Championship the same day!

I enjoyed listening to the remarks of our honorable guest, Lieutenant Governor David Toland. As a seventh generation Kansan, Toland recounted how his ancestors supported the abolitionist cause. He emphasized his appreciation for rich stories of places like Lecompton that have played a significant role in our state and national history. Toland explained that our strong past sets the framework for building a strong future, noting that “Kansas’ star is rising.” He shared that Kansas welcomed more than 36 million visitors last year, pointing to unique places like Constitution Hall as driving this number.

Bridgette Jobe, director of Kansas Tourism, expanded on this theme by previewing the 2024 Kansas Day video. It showcases the unique scenery, attractions, and respite Kansas has to offer, while inviting viewers to boldly reclaim their vacation in Kansas. Check it out at TravelKS.com/KansasDay if you haven’t already!

Aiden Najafizadeh, a student of Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, highlighted his opportunities to share the history of the Lecompton Constitution across the country. The tri-fold presentation he exhibited at National History Day in Washington, D.C., was on display for attendees.

During this event, I shared updates on the Kansas Museum of History’s gallery renovation. I also presented long overdue certificates of appreciation to Paul Bahnmaier and Elsie Middleton for their decades of support to Constitution Hall. I appreciate everyone who joined us for these special Kansas Day events. I look forward to celebrating with you next year!

Our virtual resources were a hit!

5,816 Views Edventure live presentations (Jan. 29)

11,778 Views Kansas Day web pages (Dec. 1 - Jan. 30)

421 Hours KSHS Education YouTube Channel Watched (Dec. 1 - Jan. 30)

Thanks for tuning in and sharing our Kansas Day resources!

Protecting and understanding the archeological resources of Kansas— working with local, state, and tribal entities, offering educational programming, and conducting and sharing research.

ARCHEOLOGY LAB DIRECTOR RETIRING: Celebrating the Career of Chris Garst

By Nikki Klarmann, MA, State Archeologist

Archeology Lab Director Chris Garst is retiring on April 1, 2024, after a 23-year career with the Kansas Historical Society. Chris began life in Concordia, Kansas, a community where everyone knew the local history. Her father had a passion for learning and history, greatly influencing her interests. As a family, they attended events around Kansas to learn about their state, trips she continued with her four children. Chris decided to go to college to be an accountant at the age of 39. She started at Cloud County Community College where she had a great mentor in Karl de Rochefort-Reynolds. After that, she received a bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University and master’s degree at the University of Kansas. She worked part-time in the archeology lab at Kansas State and attended four field schools, two in Iowa and two Kansas Archeology Training Program (KATP) field schools. Chris became the Historical Society’s archeology lab director on January 9, 2001.

As archeology lab director, Chris’ role has expanded from organizing collections and records in the lab to include cleaning, sorting, cataloging, and data entry for collections. She also manages donations and loans of artifacts. Chris has supervised countless volunteers who have accomplished an incredible amount of work over the years under her leadership. She began coordinating the digitization of archeological images and documents for Kansas Memory 10 years ago. She has participated on numerous committees and work groups, most recently the much-anticipated museum exhibit renovation.

Although retiring, Chris plans to continue working in Kansas archeology by volunteering to lead the certification program for the Historical Society’s sister organization, the Kansas Anthropological Association (KAA). She has stated a desire to return and photograph artifacts for Kansas Memory, a favorite aspect of her job: “I like unexpected discoveries in the collections of something that makes my eyes widen and shout out ‘wow.’ Alright, sometimes these are artifacts only an archeologist could love, but I like helping to get these online and

to the public.” Chris also plans to work on family genealogy, and notes “there are always books needing to be read.”

Chris’ dedication to Kansas archeology is evident through her countless publications in The Kansas Anthropologist, her efforts to digitize archeological artifacts for Kansas Memory, her devotion to her volunteers, and her knowledge of the sites and collections curated by the Historical Society. Her retirement will be an incredible loss for the agency’s institutional knowledge, but she deserves rest and relaxation after 23 years, and we are so happy for her to have a few new adventures. We will miss you, Chris Garst! Each of us at the Kansas Historical Society thanks you for all you have done for Kansas archeology, this agency, and the State of Kansas.

We asked Chris to reflect on her time at the Historical Society. Here are just a few of her responses:

1. Describe your greatest achievements as archeology lab director.

I was once asked as a graduate student, “Why do you people take artifacts out of the ground only to have them sit on a shelf in a box?” One of the things that pleases me about my time here is I was able to work on collections that had not yet been reported because of lack of time or finances and help share the information they have to offer. I’ve done this through report writing, presentations, and Kansas Memory.

2. What is one thing you are most proud of from your time here?

Being part of a team of genuinely nice people that are service oriented. I am so pleased when I hear from a patron that something I have helped with or even something another division has done has made their day.

3. Please describe your experiences leading the KATP Lab.

No two KATP labs are alike. Each one comes with its own challenges that we try to anticipate… mostly successfully. Sometimes those challenges were created by me, like the time I didn’t bring enough material for volunteers to work on. Mostly we step up to challenges and adapt our plans. It has been my experience that the volunteers are the vital component that makes all this work. They came with varying levels of experience (sometimes a challenge in itself), but with an enthusiasm that kept me going!

4. What accomplishments did you and the lab volunteers achieve?

I frequently note that we could not have completed the backlog of collections needing processing without the help of “my” volunteers. Many have volunteered for more than 10 years, many have volunteered multiple times a week, and quite a few have answered the call when some small emergency arises. When that many unique personalities congregate, each with different skill sets, there can be some minor problems that arise. I learned long ago that if someone is not understanding a task then I need to change the way I explain it.

5. Please describe your experiences supervising the archeological collections of Kansas.

Several years ago, we began a project where we looked inside each box that held artifacts to ascertain if the contents were up to curation standards. Oftentimes they weren’t, so we began ‘rehabbing’ each box in our collection, a task still ongoing today. When I started most inventories were still on paper. Now everything is online, but they still must be checked and rechecked. I jokingly refer to my lab as revolving: donations in, loans out, researchers in, and collections curated for others both in and out…all needing accounting.

6. What is your favorite or the most interesting donation you have received?

The collection resulting from the excavations at 14MO701, the Baker house and store. It was donated to the Kansas Historical Society in 1993 by Emporia State University (ESU), having been excavated during two field schools in the 1970s led by an ESU professor. Bloody Bill Anderson and his cohorts murdered Arthur Baker and burned his store and home to the ground in 1862. With volunteers’ help and a lengthy examination of the large collection, I was able to write a summary of the store excavation in 2021 and have just submitted the report on the house excavation.

7. What is your advice for people new to their careers in archeology and collection management?

There are opportunities out there for all types of work experience, but you need to go looking. Don’t wait for opportunities to drop in your lap— volunteer, meet colleagues, attend meetings, and get involved. Also get that graduate degree at least!

8. What is something you will miss the most about KSHS?

There are two things really. One is the thrill of opening a new box, seeing a collection for the first time, and realizing all this history is right in front of me. The second thing is my coworkers and the sense of pride I feel about all of us who work so very hard. I’ll miss you.

We also asked longtime colleagues and volunteers to share their thoughts:

Chris is outstanding with all the KAA volunteers that come through the KSHS lab and KATP events. She can repeat the same instructions time after time making it a continual positive learning experience. Her cheerful personality, outstanding knowledge and unrelenting patience is impeccable. – Nancy Arendt

As the KSHS Archeology lab director, whether in Topeka or in temporary quarters, Chris Garst lets volunteers know she’s in charge by humorously calling herself “she who must be obeyed.” This is true, but she is always the diplomat by suggesting, by saying she prefers, by indicating let’s start doing such and such this way, and more. – Mary Conrad

Chris is among the most dedicated, committed, and hard-working people that I know. What’s more, she is constantly learning, she applies what she learns, and she passes it on to others. When there is work to be done, Chris pitches in, regardless of the task. Finally, she fosters an atmosphere of good cheer and comradery. Thanks for everything you’ve done, Chris. – Bob Hoard I worked with Chris at the Historical Society for many years. Early in her time, both of my now long-grown daughters came to the archeology lab for weekend events. On the way home, one of them told me that it seemed as though the lab volunteers had been working together for a long time. Some of those volunteers are still there, working together. Their continued presence after all these years speaks to Chris’ leadership skills as well as her ability to work with folks from all walks of life. –

Tim Weston

On her own initiative Chris Garst made great strides in adding archeological content to Kansas Memory and reporting orphan collections. Her organizational prowess in planning and executing projects could be depended upon. Perhaps her greatest contribution was her work with volunteers of all ages and varying skills in the archeology lab in Topeka and at Kansas Archeology Training Program field schools. She makes everyone feel valued and keeps them coming back year after year. –

Virginia Wulfkuhle

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (SHPO)

Preserving and protecting the state’s historic buildings, structures, and sites through financial assistance programs, technical guidance, and regulations; working with federal, state, and local communities and partners to interpret and preserve these resources.

HERITAGE TRUST FUND: BEFORE AND AFTER

By Lauren Jones, MA, Survey and Outreach Coordinator

While the rehabilitation tax credits administered by the State Historic Preservation Office can only be used on buildings, the Heritage Trust Fund grant can be used to fund work on a wider variety of structures. Past projects include rehabilitation of a metal truss bridge, a water tower, and this month’s featured project: the Eskridge City Park Bandstand.

The town of Eskridge was originally laid out as a town site in 1868, but didn’t begin to grow until the Burlington, Alma, and Manhattan Railway line was constructed through Wabaunsee County in 1880. By 1910 the town was second in size only to the county seat, Alma. Citizens voted to establish a city park in 1903. By early 1909 the bandstand was constructed. It moved to its current location in 1913, where it has remained more than 110 years!

The City of Eskridge received a Heritage Trust Fund grant to rehabilitate and repair the Eskridge Bandstand in 2020. Planned work included repair of rotten wood, painting, structural stabilization, and roof repairs. In addition, the nonhistoric wheelchair ramp was removed, and the height of the bandstand railing was elevated using a minimally intrusive handrail extension. While most of the work was completed by skilled architects and contractors, volunteers helped with portions of the project, which demonstrates the importance of this structure to the community of Eskridge.

The Heritage Trust Fund grants are awarded annually by the State Historic Preservation Office. Applications for the 2024 grant round were due November 1, 2023. Awards were announced February 3, 2024, during the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review meeting. Stay tuned for a summary of recipients in the next issue of Zephyr! To learn more about the Heritage Trust Fund grants, visit bit.ly/kshshtf.

2024 Kansas Preservation Conference

By Jan Shupert-Arick, GCHP, Grants Specialist

The 2024 Kansas Preservation Conference will be held in Newton and will provide unique opportunities to explore topics related to historic preservation, architecture, archeology, and local history. The conference will also provide networking opportunities and highlight resources available to property owners, nonprofits, government entities, businesses, and those interested in preserving Kansas’ historic resources. Conference sessions and events will be held across Newton/North Newton, including buildings listed in the National Register. The conference is presented by the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office in collaboration with Kansas Main Street and the Kansas Preservation Alliance.

Wednesday, May 15

The conference will kick off at the Meridian Center with sessions highlighting resources for Kansas Main Street property owners, community leaders, and tourism. Kansas Main Street provides technical assistance and support for communities working to revitalize their downtown areas by focusing on economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization.

The Kansas State Historic Preservation Office will present information for Certified Local Government (CLG) communities or those interested in learning the benefits and requirements of achieving CLG status. Megan Brown from the National Park Service has been

invited to present.

On Wednesday evening, conference attendees are invited to participate in a one-mile walk and talk along the Bethel College campus. Transportation will be provided from the Meridian Center. Attendees will follow the walkways/bikeway to the heart of campus to meet a guide who will discuss its history along the Sand Creek Trail. Participants will continue walking/biking (or take the bus) to the Kauffman Museum. The evening will be filled with opportunities to explore impressive displays about the cultural and natural history of the plains and the immigration of Mennonites to Kansas. A reconstructed tallgrass prairie, paths, an 1875 farmhouse, and an 1886 barn will delight attendees as they partake in food and beverage stations and enjoy stories from interpreters.

Thursday, May 16

This full day of conference sessions at the Meridian Center includes speakers on a variety of preservation and cultural resource topics, including historic paint investigation, modern architecture, state and federal tax credits, National Register nominations, and an update on the state of preservation in Kansas.

Information booths in the lobby will be hosted by The Kansas Preservation Alliance, Harvey County Historical Society, Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau/Newton Main Street, Kansas Barn Alliance, and Kansas Historical Society.

Warkentin House Museum Meridian Center

Join Us in Newton May 15-17, 2024

Join us for a tour of the Warkentin House Museum— the home of Bernhard and Mina Warkentin, built in 1886-1887. The house is a splendid example of Victorian architecture.

Studio 50

The evening reception will be held at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery, which features works by local and regional artists in three galleries. Carriage rides are being planned!

An After-Hours Event for Young Preservationists will be held at Station 50—a restored gas station now rehabbed as a special event venue. This is a meet and greet networking opportunity for young preservationists, sponsored by the Kansas Preservation Alliance.

Friday, May 17

Breakout sessions will be held as follows:

Archeology Sessions at the Kauffman Museum

State Archeologist Nikki Klarmann will present a tribute to Waldo Wedel, considered the “Father of Plains archeology.” Wedel grew up in Newton/North Newton and became interested in archeology as a young boy exploring Sand Creek. These sessions will include presentations on review and compliance, the Unmarked Burial Site Preservation Act, and Antiquities Act. Attendees will learn how federal and state preservation laws protect cultural resources.

How-To on Creating a Historic Walking Tour

Held at the historic Carnegie Library, now the home of the Harvey County Historical Society, staff members will explain how they collaborated to research, write, and publish a self-guided walking tour booklet for Downtown Newton.

Lunch on Your Own/ Historic Newton Downtown Walking Tour

This “on your own” walking tour through historic downtown Newton will begin and end at the Prairy Market & Deli. Participate to be eligible to win a gift basket at the afternoon session.

Afternoon at the Prairy Market Mezzanine

Pishny Restoration Services will present a window restoration workshop.

Kansas Preservation Alliance Evening Reception and Awards Program

Join members of the Kansas Preservation Alliance (KPA) for the annual reception and awards program at the Meridian Center. KPA is a statewide, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the preservation of Kansas heritage through education, advocacy, cooperation with like-minded individuals and groups, and participation in the preservation of historic structures and locations. The KPA sees Kansas’ heritage as one of its greatest assets—a source of pride and an irreplaceable resource for the future. The KPA will present awards for outstanding preservation projects across the state.

Plan to join us in Newton!

For updates on the 2024 Kansas Preservation Conference, follow the KSHPO Facebook page, visit bit.ly/KSHPOevents or scan this QR code. ->

Waldo Wedel excavates the Tobias Site in Rice County in 1965

MUSEUM AND EDUCATION

Using stories from Kansas history to encourage new explorations of the past, understand our present, and appreciate the experiences of others; collecting, preserving, and providing access to the state’s material culture.

EXPANDING THE COLLECTIONS OF THE KANSAS MUSEUM OF HISTORY

By Anna Bassford-Woods, MA, Museum Curator

The Kansas Historical Society strives to represent the diverse cultures that make up our state. Kansas Museum of History staff members do this by building collections that reflect all aspects of Kansas history and preserving these artifacts for the public. The museum has more than 121,000 artifacts in its collections and receives approximately 150 donation offers every year. New donations offered by the public are presented to the accessions committee, made up of the museum director, collections manager, and curator. The committee decides whether to accept or decline new offers based on a variety of criteria, including the item’s relevance to Kansas history and if the item fills a gap in the collection. Highlights from recent months include Amelia Earhart branded luggage, items from a Chinese restaurant in Beloit, and Dr. Lee Norman’s lab coat.

Born in Atchison, Kansas, Amelia Earhart broke many flight records, most notably as the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic, which she did while also breaking the speed record. Earhart used her fame to further many business endeavors, including the endorsement of a luggage line bearing her name. In October the Kansas Museum of History was excited to accept two examples of Amelia Earhart branded luggage into our collection.

Ronald Mah immigrated to Kansas from China when he was 19 years old. Between 1963 and 1983, Mah and his family owned and operated the 24/66 Restaurant in Beloit. The restaurant served Chinese food to travelers in north central Kansas, one of the few restaurants of its kind in the region. In November the committee accepted items from the period when the Mah family owned the 24/66 Restaurant. This allows us to showcase

stories of immigrants who found a home in Kansas.

The museum also actively collects items from current events to document history for future generations. One example is the lab coat worn by Dr. Lee Norman who served as secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment during the state’s response to COVID-19. Dr. Norman wore this coat during press conferences with Governor Laura Kelly in 2020 and 2021.

If you are interested in donating an item to the Kansas Museum of History, contact us at 785-272-8681, ext. 407; nikaela.zimmerman@ ks.gov.

Field Trips to the State Capitol

By Ashley Pheigaru, Museum and Education Assistant

The Kansas State Capitol welcomes thousands of visitors from across the globe every year. To provide an enhanced experience, the Capitol Visitor Center offers two different guided tours for guests to enjoy.

The guided historic tour takes visitors through the five floors of the Capitol building. Learn about the history of famous John Steuart Curry murals such as Tragic Prelude (pictured bottom right) and Kansas Pastoral. Take your picture next to the four famous Kansan statues created by Peter Felten, Jr., then peek inside the ceremonial governor’s office. Important tour stops include the Senate Chamber, Representative Hall, Old Kansas Supreme Court, and State Library of Kansas.

If you are up for a challenge, then climbing 296 steps to the top of the Capitol’s dome is the perfect way to spend your visit. During the guided dome tour, visitors will have the privilege of viewing both the inner and outer domes up close, something few other state capitols offer. On the journey to the top, learn about the history of the dome and its various phases of construction. Those who reach the summit are treated with a truly unique view of the capital city.

Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours during regular hours of operation. An orientation video and tour materials are available at the Capitol Visitor Center.

For individuals unable to visit in person, videos highlighting Tragic Prelude and Brown V. Board of Education can be viewed online. The Kansas Historical Society Education YouTube channel also provides a short video tour of the dome to watch at your convenience.

To book a tour at the Kansas State Capitol, contact 785-296-3966 or kshs.capitol@ks.gov. Tours are free during scheduled times. Visit bit.ly/ kshscapitol for more information and resources.

Temporary Exhibit: On the Move

Did you hear the great news? On the Move will remain open until this summer! Come discover the journey the Kansas Museum of History has taken from its inception in the 1890s until now. Find more details at bit.ly/kshsmove.

Collecting, preserving, and providing access to the state’s history through unpublished materials, personal papers, audio-visual materials, and government, organization, and business records.

Using the State Archives for Genealogical Research

By Megan Burton, MA, State Archivist

The Kansas State Historical Society was founded by the Kansas Newspaper Editors and Publishers Association in 1875, and we have been collecting local and family histories ever since.

The State Archives maintains three main collections. The library collection represents printed or published materials, both for Kansas and out-of-state topics. The manuscripts collection contains original papers of private individuals, organizations, and businesses in Kansas and includes the photograph and map collections. The public records collection represents the non-current records of Kansas state government agencies and select local government records. Most of these collections are not digitized but are available to view in the research room.

Library Collection

While library materials aren’t at the heart of archives collection efforts, they provide a wealth of information for genealogy researchers. In those collections you can find community and business histories; plat maps and atlases; telephone

directories; compiled vital statistics records; printed newspaper indexes; biographical sketches of Kansas individuals; and information on topics important in Kansas history. Some of the most useful parts of the collection may be the clippings books for each Kansas county. In those, researchers can find fully indexed newspaper clippings related to Kansas people, places, and things.

Newspaper editors and publishers continue to donate a copy of their newspapers to the Historical Society. As a result of our partnership with Newspapers.com, all Kansas newspapers prior to 1923 are available digitally through their site. Kansans can get free access to these Kansas newspapers using their driver’s license through our portal at bit.ly/kshsnewspapers

The State Archives is an official repository for all state government publications. State university yearbooks and campus directories are just some of the state publications of potential use to the family historian.

The general library collection includes our out-ofstate genealogical materials. We have, historically,

State Archives Research Room in Topeka

Washington County Clippings Book, 1876-1911

collected out-of-state county and local histories and related genealogical materials for the states that have provided the most settlers to Kansas. This includes Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, the New England states, and the mid-Atlantic and mid-South states. Our general library collection is extremely broad in these areas.

Manuscripts Collection

The manuscript collection represents the private papers of individuals, organizations, or businesses. This can include diaries, letters, journals, business records, church records, and other unpublished materials. Collections like these can be useful in developing an understanding of how our ancestors lived based on firsthand accounts. See a sampling in Kansas Memory: kansasmemory.org/category/167.

The photograph collection contains thousands of images of Kansas, Kansans, and the Great Plains in general. These can include street scenes, photos of local businesses, portraits (not always just of prominent people), and scenes of everyday life and activities. The photo collection is a wonderful study source in understanding how our ancestors lived and what was important in their lives. A small portion of the collection has been digitized for Kansas Memory: kansasmemory.org/category/1265 .

The map collection contains over 30,000 maps of Kansas, the west, and the United States. The Kansas and western maps reflect the development of military and cattle trails, railroad expansion, and county development. The early 20th century maps reflect the development of the Kansas highway system and the importance the automobile played in Kansas and the U.S. View a sample digitized for Kansas Memory: kansasmemory.org/category/673.

Public Records Collection

The State Archives contains the non-current records of state agencies (and a few local government

agencies) that are considered to have lasting historical value. Examples of collection materials that are useful for family history researchers include records of the Kansas Adjutant General with lists of people who served from Kansas in the Civil War and the SpanishAmerican War; patient files and registers from the Topeka State Hospital; and inmate files from the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing. A partnership with the Genealogical Society of Utah allowed the Historical Society to receive copies of microfilmed Kansas vital statistics records dating from the late 1800s to about 1911. The microfilm is available to researchers both onsite and via interlibrary loan. Some records are also available through FamilySearch.org and our partnership with Ancestry.com. Find more through our portal at bit.ly/kshsnewspapers.

Kansas is fortunate to have the federal censuses for Kansas from 1860 to 1940 (except for 1890) and the Kansas State censuses taken in years ending in 5, from 1865 to 1925. Patrons can access these records online through ancestry.com or on microfilm in our research room.

How to Access Our Materials

Recognize Genealogy Day on March 9, 2024, by accessing materials from the State Archives! Many indexes, finding aids, and databases are available on our website at kshs.org. Besides the online archives catalog, patrons can access many of our digitized collections through kansasmemory.org, our online digital archives. Catalogs to our library materials can be accessed through our online catalog, ATLAS, or the card catalog in our research room.

Patrons can visit us at our research room in Topeka. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, as well as 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the last Saturday of the month. Our archivists can also take a limited amount of reference requests through email or phone. Contact kshs.reference@ks.gov; 785-2728681, ext. 117; to make a request.

Roster of the Second Regiment of the Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865

World War I Bounty Claim Record Showing Discharge Status

STATE HISTORIC SITES

Preserving and protecting the state historic sites placed under the care of the Historical Society; educating visitors and classes through exhibits, exterior interpretation, and programming.

CONSTITUTION HALL: INCITING THE CIVIL WAR

By Tiffany Grassmuck, MA, Historic Sites Supervisor

Constitution Hall State Historic Site played a significant role in the establishment and growth of Kansas Territory. In 1857 the building was one of the busiest and most important in the territory, with thousands of settlers and speculators filling the U.S. land office on the first floor. Sometimes land ownership was achieved with hand-to-hand fights for shares of the rich lands being made available to white men by removing Native Americans residing there.

Upstairs, the district court met to enforce territorial laws, a tricky endeavor when freestate people refused to obey laws passed by the proslavery legislature. Several times the territorial governors called out federal troops from Fort Leavenworth or Fort Riley to reinstate order.

In fall 1857 the Lecompton Constitutional Convention met in the second floor assembly

room to draft a constitution to gain statehood for Kansas. This debate whether to be a free state or slave state was a national issue that garnered interest from newspapers across the country. Filled to the brim with people on both sides of the debate and national newspaper correspondents, the assembly voted to protect slavery. The Lecompton Constitution was defeated at the national level by the U.S. Congress.

Free-state forces rallied supporters and met in the same upstairs assembly room to reform the territorial laws to reflect their tenants. Eventually Kansas entered the Union under a state constitution that prohibited slavery. Constitution Hall housed important debates and is the birthplace of legislation that would spark the Civil War.

This modern image of Constitution Hall features a bright white exterior from its repainting in 2023.

Free-state politician James Lane is “shouting defiance into the convention’s ears and the battery’s muzzles” to denounce the Lecompton Constitution, in a sketch from the Life of General James H. Lane by John I. Speer.

Building Improvements at the State Historic Sites!

Constitution Hall in Lecompton received exterior repainting in the summer 2023. Painting historic buildings preserves the material while keeping the historic appearance up to standards. Part of the repainting process is making repairs to the wood siding and trim. This project included the opportunity to remove the outdated large utility box on the north of the building and restore the original appearance of the façade.

John Brown Museum in Osawatomie received a new roof with an improved material so the outside of the building can continue to protect the historic cabin’s interior from the elements. It received a thermoplastic (TPO) sheet roofing to replace the former roof at the end of life.

The Hollenberg Pony Express Station visitor center in Hanover received new siding and painting to complement the colors of its prairie site. Although the building is not historic, it houses important features including an exhibit room and an education room. This is the first stop for visitors to learn about the Hollenberg station, located 300 yards to the east.

TIM RUES: RECOGNIZING 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Tim Rues has been managing historic buildings and providing tours at state historic sites since he began working at Fort Hays in 1982. In 1984 Tim moved to First Territorial Capitol in Fort Riley to serve as its site administrator; then to the newly acquired Constitution Hall in 1995. During the transition he helped plan Constitution Hall’s June 1995 dedication and opening and has been its only site administrator. Tim instituted the site’s popular and well-attended Bleeding Kansas Program Series in 1997, currently in its 27th season.

Tim’s favorite part of his work is educating visitors, often an eager classroom of students excited to learn about history! His school groups enjoy watching the Lecompton Reenactors make history come to life.

Tim Rues underscores the importance of Constitution Hall as he kicks off the 27th annual Bleeding Kansas program series. He stands before a reproduction of the 33-star flag, which flew over Fort Sumter in 1861, as the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Seasonal State Historic Sites Reopening April 17, 2024!

We invite you to explore history at the Kansas State Historic Sites operated seasonally. These sites tell local and national stories about Native Americans, agriculture, Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War, and forts and trails. Pawnee Indian Museum, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, First Territorial Capitol, Grinter Place, Red Rocks (Home of the William Allen White Family), and Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield reopen April 17, 2024. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cottonwood Ranch also reopens April 17, 2024. Visit 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. All seven sites will remain open through mid-October. Admission is Free!

To plan your next visit to our seasonal state historic sites, scan this QR code or visit bit.ly/kshistoricsites ->

Cottonwood Ranch Studley

Pawnee Indian Museum Republic

Hollenberg Pony Express Station Hanover

First Territorial Capitol Fort Riley (Junction City)

Grinter Place

Kansas City

Red Rocks Emporia

Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield Pleasanton

Sites Reopening

Sites Open Year Round

TUNE IN!

Featuring documentaries, YouTube videos, podcasts and other audiovisual offerings that highlight engaging stories related to Kansas history.

Fort Wallace: Thof’s Dragon

Journey back in time to hear the story of how Fort Wallace surgeon Theophilus Turner uncovered a significant fossil discovery through the new video, Thof’s Dragon. Fort Wallace was an outpost on the Smoky Hill Trail and the western-most of the state’s frontier forts. Turner, known to his family and friends as Thof, discovered what he called a “dragon” in a ravine north of Fort Wallace. The video details Turner’s life at the fort, his comrades, friendship with army scout William Comstock, and his remarkable find. Thof’s Dragon is narrated by Ian Hall, who co-wrote the script with producer Deb Goodrich. View it at bit.ly/thofsdragon.

Mildred’s Escape: A WWII Survival Story

Mildred Schindler Janzen was six months old when she and her family left their Kansas home to care for the family farm in Germany. After World War II began in 1939, the family had to live under the Nazi regime. Forced from their home by Russian soldiers just before her 16th birthday, Janzen would never see her father again. Her journey eventually led her back to Kansas, where she reunited with her mother and brother. At the age of 94, Janzen tells her story with Sherye S. Green in the book, Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin. She also provides firsthand accounts in a Museum After Hours recording, bit.ly/kshsjanzen, and 20-minute video, bit.ly/vimeojanzen.

Beyond Brown: Mexican School Equality

Humanities Kansas will be hosting a virtual event, The Big Idea: “Beyond Brown: Mexican Struggles for Equality

Before and After Brown v. Board,” at 12 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024. The program will be presented by Dr. Valerie Mendoza, a historian and advisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Dr. Mendoza will discuss the ways Latino communities banded together to fight discrimination and demand equal protection under the law, focusing special attention on Kansas examples. Registration is required for this free online event: tinyurl.com/5x7267bw. For more information, email info@humanitieskansas.org.

On this Day in Kansas History

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Zula Bennington Greene’s newspaper columns mixed common sense, rich stories, and a charming window into the past. Born in Hickory County, Missouri, on this day in 1895, she later moved with her family to Colorado. Following high school she attended the University of Colorado and taught school before marrying Willard Greene, her high school English teacher, in 1918. The couple settled on a farm in Chase County, Kansas, where she began to write a column, “Flint Hills Fantasies,” for the Chase County Leader in 1929. After the family’s move to the state capital, she began writing “Peggy of the Flint Hills” for the Topeka Daily Capital. She acted in productions with the Topeka Civic Theatre, like Our Town and Harvey, and served on the theatre’s board. Greene was a popular speaker who received many honors and awards. She continued her column for 55 years until her death on June 13, 1988.

Almon Brown Strowger didn’t start his career as an inventor. Born in Penfield, New York, in 1839, Strowger worked as a teacher and served in the Civil War before moving to Kansas. As an undertaker in Kansas City he discovered the telephone operator had been directing calls to her husband, the new mortician in town, instead of his own business. Strowger thought there should be a way to place a phone call without going through the operator. Strowger’s concept for the switch telephone exchange system was not the first, but he did create the first working model. The prototype was a color box with straight pins. Later models used electromagnets and push keys. He founded the Strowger Automatic Telephone Exchange Company and received a patent for the Strowger Switch, on this day in 1891. Strowger sold his patent in 1898, returning to his work as a mortician. He died in 1902.

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3/10

Railroads have been an integral part of Kansas history since statehood. Railroad companies like the Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western (later the Kansas Pacific) and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe were founded in the 19th century. On this day in 1860, Elwood in Doniphan County introduced the first locomotive to roll on Kansas tracks. A ferry carried the locomotive up the Missouri River and placed it on the tracks, ushering the railroad era into Kansas. Numerous railroad lines carried passengers and freight to their destination across the state by the late 1880s. Railroads provided transportation for the agriculture and cattle industries, and defined much of the community development in Kansas. Railroad towns and their businesses prospered.

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William Russell, Alexander Majors, and William Waddell operated a freighting business for the Santa Fe Trail, which supplied frontier forts and provided service to the gold fields of Colorado. The financial future of their Leavenworth based shipping company was put at risk when they sought a government contract for cross country mail delivery. With a charter from the Kansas legislature, the Pony Express began operation on this day in 1860. Riders “young skinny wiry fellows . . . orphans preferred” with weight limited to 125 pounds, aged 14 to 20, could earn $25 a week. They departed on horseback with the mail pouch from St. Joseph, Missouri, arriving 10 days later in Sacramento, California. The mail pouch, a mochila, was designed to fit over the saddle for weight distribution and a quick swap. The mochila held 20 pounds of letters, newspapers, and telegrams. The route included 186 stations, 10 to 15 miles apart to supply fresh horses. Riders continued day and night, stopping every 75 to 100 miles, to grab a bite to eat. At the same time, telegraph wires were being installed from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast. Its completion brought the end to the Pony Express 18 months and 35,000 letters later. Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site near Hanover is one of the last remaining original stations.

The nation’s first woman mayor, Susanna Salter of Argonia, Kansas, was only 27 when she was elected mayor on this day in 1887. Born in Ohio in 1860, Susanna Madora Kinsey moved with her family to Kansas in 1872. Kinsey attended Kansas State Agricultural College (later Kansas State University) where she met and married Lewis Salter. Though active in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, she was not interested in a political career. Weeks earlier state legislators had passed a law allowing women to vote in municipal elections and hold office in city government. Several men nominated her as a joke, but she received two-thirds of the votes and was elected mayor. To her critics’ surprise, Salter knew a bit about city politics; her father was the town’s first mayor. She retired from politics when her term ended to focus on her family. She and her husband had nine children. Salter died in Oklahoma in 1961 at age 101.

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Farmers in the Midwest have long been challenged by drought. Years without rain in the 1930s proved devastating for the region, which was aggravated by excessive tillage and soil erosion. By 1935 the Dust Bowl storms were interrupting daily life, and hospitals, schools, and businesses to close. Families struggled to keep the fine dust from penetrating doors, windows, and cracks in their houses. Black Sunday, on this day in 1935, was considered one of the worst days. The massive front, placing southwest Kansas at the center, brought winds up to 60 miles per hour, gathering topsoil into billowing clouds of dust hundreds of feet high that blotted out the sun. Many claimed the topsoil darkened the skies in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congress passed the Soil Conservation Act on April 27, 1935, to guide landowners in reducing soil erosion and conserving natural resources.

NEWS and NOTES

Register for the KAH Conference

Registration is now open for the Kansas Association of Historians (KAH) Conference! Sessions will be held at Fort Hays State University from 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 22, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Registration is $80 for professionals and $45 for students: webapps.fhsu.edu/kah. While you’re in town, don’t miss our temporary exhibit, Custer: The Great Debate, at Fort Hays State Historic Site. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Launching Last Light, A Novella

As an interpreter for injured German prisoners of war at a fictional Kansas army hospital during World War II, a young Topekan, Isabelle Graham, puts her life at risk. Elizabeth Farnsworth used resources at the Kansas Historical Society’s State Archives to create her thrilling novella. She researched, among other events, how seriously injured soldiers once had to be unloaded through the windows of a hospital train in Topeka. She also read weekly reports on the number of prisoners of war in U.S. Army hospitals around the country. Join Farnsworth as she launches her novella, Last Light, at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Donate to the State Historic Sites This Tax Season

This year look to line 44 on the K-40 income tax form for an easy way to donate to the state historic sites. Similar to the Chickadee Checkoff, this box allows you to contribute $1 or more to any of our 16 sites. Learn more by visiting bit.ly/kshstaxes and searching “line 44.”

Join the 2024 Big Kansas Road Trip

The Kansas Sampler Foundation invites you to explore Ellsworth and Lincoln counties and the community of Lucas May 2 to 5 for its sixth annual Big Kansas Road Trip. Unlike an organized tour, this road trip encourages visitors to create their own adventure to rural communities. Hop in your car and start exploring, or plan an unforgettable weekend for your family or friends. Visit bigkansasroadtrip. com to gain inspiration for your trip and discover the local history and cultural attractions that make north central Kansas unique!

Wishing Farewell to Robert Arnold

The beautiful grounds and cleanliness of buildings at the Kansas Historical Society and Kansas Museum of History are due to the oversight of Robert Arnold. Robert has been a staff member at the Historical Society for 23 years, with his career spanning from grounds technician to grounds supervisor and grounds and custodial supervisor. His expertise as a landscaper, arborist, and horticulturalist has enhanced the nature trail, flower beds, and general appearance of our property. In addition, Robert has overseen the maintenance and custodial staff team and has performed building and grounds repairs at our state historic sites. Robert enjoys being outside, doing a variety of jobs, and learning new skills. When he retires in April, Robert plans to do woodworking, rebuild small engines, take day trips, and revisit Thailand. All of us at the Kansas Historical Society would like to wish Robert the very best in his retirement. He will be missed!

Smoky Hill Museum Offers Traveling Exhibits

Are you seeking a traveling exhibit for your organization in 2024 or beyond? If so, consider a display from the Smoky Hill Museum:

• A Place to Call Home examines the decisions made for the journey to Kansas from approximately 1850-1900.

• Life in the Trenches explores the human face of World War I, focusing on the harrowing firstperson accounts of Kansas soldiers.

• Notorious features the colorful characters that have shaped Kansas history as we know it. To book an exhibit, contact Josh Morris, curator of exhibits, at 785-309-5766 or josh.morris@salina.org. View the schedules at smokyhillmuseum.org.

Upcoming Events...

See more events by scanning the QR code to the right -> or visiting bit.ly/kshscalendar

MARCH

3 – Council Grove

Kaw Mission Councils, “Connecting the Plains: Steamboats and the Santa Fe Trail,” presented by Kendall Gott, 2 p.m. Sunday, the Dealership Building

3 – Lecompton

Bleeding Kansas Program Series, “Voices from Kansas Territorial Characters,” presented by the Lecompton Reenactors, 2 p.m. Sunday, Constitution Hall

13 – Virtual

Museum After Hours, “Diversity and Complexity in Indian Kansas,” presented by Dr. Eric Anderson, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, via Zoom and YouTube

18 – Independence, Missouri

Freedom’s Frontier Partner Meeting, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum; freedomsfrontier.org/partners/

19 – Virtual

Electronic Records Committee, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Zoom

22-23 – Hays

Kansas Association of Historians Conference, 12 – 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Fort Hays State University; kansashistorians.org

APRIL

7 – Council Grove

Kaw Mission Councils, “Buffalo Hunting and the Film Tatonka,” presented by Dr. Leo Oliva, 2 p.m. Sunday, the Dealership Building

10 – Virtual Museum After Hours, “The Real Story of the Donner Party,” presented by Marian Calabro, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, via Zoom and YouTube

15 – Statewide Application deadline for the Alfred M. Landon and Edward N. Tihen Historical Research Grants; bit.ly/kshsresearchgrants

MAY

2-5 – Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties

Kansas Sampler Foundation’s Big Kansas Road Trip; bigkansasroadtrip.com

5 – Council Grove

Kaw Mission Councils, “History of the Potawatomi Nation,” presented by Colonel Jon E. Boursaw, 2 p.m. Sunday, the Dealership Building

8 – Virtual

Museum After Hours, “The Women of Brown v. Board,” presented by Donna Rae Pearson, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, via Zoom and YouTube

17 – Statewide Cottonwood Ranch, First Territorial Capitol, Grinter Place, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield, Pawnee Indian Museum, and Red Rocks state historic sites open for the season

18 – Virtual State Records Board meeting, 1 p.m. Thursday, via Zoom

21 – Topeka

Launch of the novella, Last Light, by Elizabeth Farnsworth, 2 p.m. Sunday, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

15-17 – Newton

Kansas Preservation Conference; bit.ly/KSHPOevents

20 – Shawnee

Freedom’s Frontier Partner Meeting, Shawnee Town 1929; freedomsfrontier.org/partners/

27 – Statewide

Memorial Day, all sites closed for the state holiday