FY 2011 Annual Report | 1 Remarks from People About the Kansas Historical Society in 2011
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Kansas Historical Society Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. The mission of the Kansas Historical Society is to actively preserve and share Kansas history by collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials and information pertaining to state government and history for the purpose of enhancing government accountability, providing economic development assistance, and educating the people of Kansas. On the cover: The top 25 Notable Kansans were selected by Governor Sam Brownback’s blue ribbon panel on Kansas history and announced at five events around the state in summer 2011. These Kansans were selected for making significant contributions to the state, the nation, and the world. Amelia Earhart and Dwight Eisenhower were among those honored. This publication highlights more of these notable Kansans. Annual Report 2011 he sesquicentennial of Kansas statehood this past fiscal historians from around the state. In five separate events Tyear offered numerous opportunities to remind us of the in different communities, we assisted Governor Sam important role Kansans played in our nation’s history. Brownback in celebrating the 25 Notable Kansans. Next year The Kansas Historical Society is one of the premier we will announce the top 12 events in Kansas history. historical agencies in the country. We serve to promote the I would like to thank Governor Sam Brownback, who ideals on which this nation and state were founded. By shares our enthusiasm for Kansas history; the Kansas preserving the state’s records and providing access to the Legislature; and the Kansas Historical Foundation Board of state’s past, we support a government by the people and for Directors for their continued support of Kansas history. I the people. By educating our young people about the events would also like to thank my colleague, Vicky Henley, the and issues of our past, we help them become better citizens executive director of the Kansas Historical Foundation, for and create future leaders for the state. By assisting her many fundraising successes that have supported the state communities in redeveloping their historic environments, agency over the past year. For more information on private we help ensure economic stability to districts in our towns, support for the Historical Society please see the Kansas neighborhoods, and rural communities. By interpreting the Historical Foundation 2011 annual report. past for our citizens, we help build pride in the state and We look forward in 2012 to continuing to engage the what we can accomplish together. public with a passion for Kansas history. In 2011 we served 5,399,355 people, both in person and through virtual resources. Private dollars in 2011 allowed us to present several programs for the sesquicentennial, including trading cards of 150 notable Kansans; a special exhibit, 150 Things I Love About Kansas; and offer travel Jennie Chinn stipends for schools in western Kansas to come to the Kansas Executive Director Historical Society in Topeka. We published a colorful fourth grade workbook on Kansas history. We continued an innovative project to bring together the three branches of state government to preserve state electronic records of enduring value. Even with challenging financial issues, we remain dedicated to offering programs that meet our audience’s changing needs. One of the more exciting sesquicentennial projects this year was the top 25 Notable Kansans. We coordinated the Governor’s blue ribbon panel on Kansas history, with “ We are honored to have had the opportunity to recognize the 25 Notable Kansans and to help start this public dialogue on our state’s history.” — Jennie Chinn FY 2011 Annual Report | 1 Remarks from people about the Kansas Historical Society in 2011 “I want to take a moment to tell you how much we enjoy “They stood in the very same room that the Lecompton working on these Heritage Trust Fund projects. We have had Constitution was written over 150 years ago. This made the nothing but great experiences and the work is extremely history that they have been learning throughout seventh rewarding and worthwhile. Keep up the great work!” and eighth grade more real to the students and sparked their — Corey Thomas, restoration service interest in other topics that they will follow up on in class.” — Amanda Doleman, teacher “I am thankful that the project [Kansas Archelogy Training Program field school] is inter-generational. The background “The house contained several original artifacts which had information on the various sites and artifacts was been passed down through the family, including a beautiful fascinating! It is mind-boggling and awe-inspiring to quilt. I was really excited to see these artifacts and grateful to contemplate the amount of work that goes into an event finally embrace a taste of visual Lenape history.” like this, and thanks to all who made it possible.” — Grinter Place visitor — Archeology volunteer “We could have spent much longer here [Kansas Museum of “…I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience at History]. An unexpected find on our travels.” the Statehouse provided by the tour guide. The kids were — Peter, Sydney, Australia engaged and amazing educational opportunities. Thank you so much for the great visit!” I am very excited about your website! I have been exploring — Cara Lake, teacher it all week! It has been very useful to me as I create SMART Notebook presentations for my class! “I took the Mexican-American Experience in Kansas trunk…. — Becky Walsh, teacher The kids felt proud learning about the early immigration from Mexico. It also gave them a rare opportunity to share I was just looking at your revamped site and absolutely love some prior knowledge with other students in the class. it. Kansapedia is wonderful and can’t wait to use it with my Thanks for making this special hands-on type of learning fourth graders. available.” —Deb Martin, teacher — Jennifer Cutler, teacher “….I would really recommend your podcasts to anyone living in Kansas, but especially to anyone moving to Kansas. What a great way to get to know the state! If I am ever there, I will certainly try to visit one or more of your facilities.” — Dallas, Texas “I came across your podcast a little over a year ago and have downloaded and listened to all of them….I live in NC and have never been to Kansas,…I think I’m gonna have to plan a trip…” — iTunes user I think your research facility is wonderful. It is one place I always visit when in Topeka. — Erma Phillips, researcher FY20112 | FY 2011 Annual Annual Report Report | 2 Collections he state’s constitution, precious Civil War battle flags, Society in 1875 they wanted to ensure that this important Tterritorial newspapers, and a Kansas made airplane are history was saved for future generations. It is our mission to just a few examples of the collections preserved by the continue to collect for the future and to care for and preserve Kansas Historical Society. These items tell the story of our these collections and make them available to the public state’s beginnings. When founders established the Historical to enjoy. 2011 Collections Statistics Collection Size Archeological and ethnographic artifacts* 4,710 cubic feet ATLAS bibliographic records 58,464 Kansas Memory images/pages 171,514 Library books and pamphlets 440,459 Manuscript materials 11,128 cubic feet Maps and architectural drawings 32,279 Microfilm reels 79,629 Museum artifacts 110,568 National Register and state register listings 1,384 Photographs and audio-visual items 511,856 State Archives materials 42,646 cubic feet State records (Record Center) 59,487 cubic feet *Reduction due to collection return to Corps of Engineers. Notable Kansan | Carry Nation (1846-1911) She worked against the drinking of alcohol through the women’s temperance movement in support of the family, and led her “Home Defenders” to smash bars and saloons. Our collections include numerous items related to Nation such as this poster and pins she sold to raise funds. FY 2011 Annual Report | 3 A Sampling of 2011 Additions to the Collections • Webster and Carol Waterman donated a collection of white gloves, Howard would open the casket lid to reveal the cartoons, photographs, and articles by and about Myron face of the departed for friends and loved ones. She took A. Waterman. A banker by profession, he was a recognized pride in providing quality service honoring the deceased and illustrator and political cartoonist. The brother-in-law of their family members. A number Charles Sheldon, Waterman was active in the prohibition of furniture, clothing, personal and populist movements and provided advice to Carry items, and promotional materials Nation. He illustrated Rhymes by Two Friends, written by from her funeral home William Allen White and Albert B. Paine. were recently donated to the collections. Myron A. Waterman created these cartoons for a pamphlet on Xavia Howard wore these prohibition. gloves serving her customers at Citizens Funeral Home, Wichita. • Bruce Buchanan and Harris Enterprises, Hutchinson, donated some personal documents and U. S. senatorial papers from Clyde M. Reed, Sr., Parsons Sun’s business papers, and papers from Clyde M. • Ellen Marie Killion Clark was a journalist in southeast Reed, Jr. Newspaper editor Kansas, southwest Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma Clyde M. Reed, Sr., served as during the mid-20th century. She began her career in 1940 Kansas governor from 1929 to at Joplin radio station KFSB. She joined the Joplin Globe in 1931. After his two-year term the 1950s as a reporter/photographer, covering many as governor, Reed returned to high-profile trials, where she usually wore a hat. A the Parsons Sun. In 1938 he collection of her hats was recently donated to the Kansas won election as U. S.