Events celebrate Kansas’ 150th year
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n exhibit titled “150 Things I Love About Kansas” opened on Kansas Day, Jan. 29, and will be on display until Dec. 31 at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. The exhibition features 150 historic objects, photos, quotes and artwork that helped shape Kansas over the past century and a half. Included are items such as the first known photograph of a tornado, Eisenhower’s sunflower campaign button, a rifle from the Jesse James gang shootout, Christmas cards from Amelia Earhart, a bottle of Turkey Red wheat brought to Kansas by Mennonite immigrants, and memorabilia from the “Wizard of Oz” and “Gunsmoke.” The exhibition presents Kansas symbols and stereotypes while also turning them inside out and inviting public reaction. Visitors will be able to electronically share their favorite thing about Kansas. Located at 6425 SW 6th Ave., the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Kansas became the 34th state in the Union on Jan. 29, 1861. For an extensive list of events commemorating the sesquicentennial, visit Ks150. kansas.gov. Here are some highlights:
March 17-May 19 Kansas at the Movies, McPherson Opera House, this 10-week film series celebrates the state’s cinematic history with the showing and discussion of films made in or about Kansas. Included are: “The Wizard of Oz,” “Dodge City,” Seven Angry Men,” “Picnic,” Carnival of Souls,” “In Cold Blood,” ‘The Gypsy Moths,” “The Learning Tree” and “Kansas City,” mcphersonoperahouse.org. June 2-4 Battle of Black Jack Commem-
oration, Wellsville, battle reenactment and tour of the battlefield where John Brown led his militia against proslavery forces on June 2, 1856; this armed clash is
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considered by many to have been the first battle of the Civil War. June 3-July 15 Kansas: 150 Years of
Statehood, Southwind Art Gallery, Topeka, a juried art competition and exhibit showcasing Kansas artists and culture, www.southwindartgallery.com. June 4-5 Kansas 150th Armed Forces Celebration at Forbes Field, Topeka, celebrates Kansas’ 150th birthday with military reenactments, aircraft displays, civilian and military fly-ins, and a classic car show. June 9-12 Prairiesta, Russell, held every 10 years since 1941, this year Prairiesta will celebrate not only the Kansas Sesquicentennial but Russell County’s 140th Anniversary with parades, art and aircraft shows, pageants and a cattle drive, russellks.org/prairiesta. June 25-26 Historic Lecompton Territorial Days, an annual celebration in Kansas’ first territorial capital complete with a carnival, parade, re-enactments, lecomp tonterritorialdays.com. July 3-Aug. 14 105 Kansas Quilts 4 Kansas’ 150th, quilts showing diverse styles and techniques represent each county in an exhibition at the Stauth Museum, Montezuma, 620-846-2810. Aug. 8-21 Civil War on the Western
Frontier, commemorates Lawrence’s territorial and Civil War history around anniversary of William Quantrill’s raid on the city, visitlawrence.com. Aug. 26-28 Tumbleweed Festival and 150th Birthday Celebration, Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, 620275-8621. Sept. 17-18 Freedom
Festival, John Brown Memorial Park, Osawatomie, living history reenact-
ment of the largest battle of the Bleeding Kansas era. Sept. 23-25 Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant, reenactment of the Treaty of 1867 and celebration of the settlement of the Great Plains complete with Spanish conquistadores, fur traders, mountain men, pioneers, Indians, cowboys and cattle drives, peacetreaty.org. Oct. 7- 8 City of Garnett and Kansas celebrate 150th anniversaries, experience garnettks.com.
In recognition of the state’s 150th anniversary, the Kansas Humanities Council is offering the Statehood Speakers Bureau featuring 71 presentations and discussions about Kansas. There is no cost to the host communities. For the catalog of speakers and programs, visit kansashumanities.org. Among the 150 items on display (clockwise): original Kansas state banner; state seal cowboy boots worn by Gov. Fred Hall; pin created for Kansas Lions Club members to trade at national conventions; and Eisenhower sunflower campaign button.