Newsletter - Spring 2016

Presentation by Joe Chrisman on April 3rd

Joe Chrisman, Cemetery Sexton for the City of Winfield, will be at our museum to present “Historical Preservation of Winfield, Kansas, Cemeteries" on Sunday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Chrisman has been Winfield’s Cemetery Sexton for more than eighteen years. Last year he was recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his dedication to restoring local grave markers.

His upcoming presentation will highlight not only his efforts to honor the past by preserving and restoring grave markers but will also provide a glimpse into the pioneers of this community!

Through years of research and documentation, Chrisman has discovered that 384 Civil War veterans are buried in Winfield. He continues to re-search and has a huge knowledge of who is buried in our cemeteries. He’s no stranger to our museum and we try to assist him with research whenever he inquires.

Chrisman shares photos and stories via Facebook and hopes to spark others’ curiosity about Winfield’s former citizens. Chrisman hopes to preserve the interesting accounts of the pioneers who came before us by saving tales from the past that were lost in time. He hopes that the historical preservation of our cemeteries will educate the public about the men and women who worked here, lived here, and helped build Winfield.

Chrisman is pictured in Highland Cemetery with old marble headstones which have been cleaned.

Friends of the Museum

We have been thrilled with those of you who can give of your time and be our friend! You have already removed burdens from our staff and board members. Even if you have not been able to sign up and help with an upcoming event or project, we appreciate knowing that we have your support. Thank you!

If you would like to become a friend, let us know. Give us your contact information and we will let you know when we are meeting.

Recent Events

Celebrate Cowley County History was held on January 30th with a crowd of more than 200 in attendance! We so appreciated everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to share your memories and pictures. Mark your calendars because we will do it all again on January 28, 2017--different topics, same place and most likely, same time. (Do you know how badly I want to say, “Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel”?) We hope to see you there!

On February 28th, author Gary Clark shared tips on researching, restoring, and preserving old photographs. The presentation was well attended and much enjoyed. Mr. Clark hopes to work with us in the future for more gatherings of this sort.

From the Frankie Cullison Archives by Shawn Marie Stover

Sometimes this place is so cool that I think that my head will explode!

In our archives we have a few shelves of newspapers and posters that have been laminated for use in displays. Sometimes I pick a couple of laminated items to take with me when I have a presentation to make about the museum.

So one day, in the archives, I come across a newspaper advertisement from Kline Motors with a 1966 hardtop Mustang. You see, our archives are an awesome place to reminisce! That advertisement made me remember that in high school, I dated a guy who drove that exact kind of car. Boy do I miss that car! It was a perfect complement to my 1967 Cougar. Oh to be young!

After I scanned the Mustang ad and posted it to the museum’s Facebook page, I went to put it back. I came across an advertisement for a Buffalo Bill show. Buffalo Bill performed in Winfield in 1898! My head was swimming and of course, I had to scan that too.

Some of my findings were so goofy. We have a laminated page about Winfield that came out of an unidentified book. On one side of the page it gives some clues to its age because there is a short little article about our “Fine Newspapers” and listed them as “The Daily and Weekly Courier, “The Free Press” and “The Winfield Tribune.” If I were a better expert on our local newspapers, I’d be able to narrow down the time of printing due to the fact that those newspapers were in existence at the same time. The goofy thing is on the other side of the page in the form of early day photo shopping. It was an attempt to promote agriculture in our area, I suppose.

The shelf that I was finding these goodies on was labeled, “Christmas Ads ect.” I really began looking for Christmas Ads but it was the “ect.” that really made for some fun. I ran across really old editions of newspapers. Some were only one page but several of them were an issue of the paper in its entirety with each page laminated and then stapled together. You can leaf through it like you would any newspaper without fear that due to its age, it will fall apart on you. Maybe only I would think that it is fun sitting and leafing through a really OLD paper like it was today’s news.

Visit our archives; we keep them for everyone!

The corn might only be as high as an elephant’s eye in
Oklahoma, but in Cowley County, Kansas, it grows taller than a house!

Volunteer Spotlight by Shawn Marie Stover

My Wednesday museum greeter, Phyllis Brothers, is one of the loveliest people that I know. I’ve “known” Phyllis all of my life but did not really get to know her until she began volunteering at the museum.

How well I remember Phyllis’ first day. It was crazy! First, Elizabeth Taylor had passed away earlier that day and a reporter and camera man literally walked into the museum and asked me to confirm that his source (Wikipedia) was correct in stating that Elizabeth Taylor had lived in Arkansas City for a while. It was also Winfield school’s spring break and we had many visitors. Phyllis had no way of knowing how abnormal her first day was. Many times the museum is very quiet.

And yet she shows up faithfully, weather permitting. I always feel bad when she spends hours at our front desk without a visitor but she will always say, “I enjoy reading” and I always think, “Well bless you, because you would be much more comfortable reading at your house.” The museum is often really chilly (in the winter, like a big, rock, ice box).

Wednesdays just wouldn’t be Wednesdays without Phyllis! Come in and say, “Hi!” to her.

Message from the Director by Shawn Marie Stover

Nearly twenty-eight years ago, my family lost our home to a fire. We were very fortunate that no human lives were lost. We were luckier than most in that some of our photos were protected by the photo album that they were in. The photo edges were singed but at least we still had a few photos.

You don’t know the incredible generosity of community until you lose nearly everything. We were given so many items! Furniture and clothing especially, more than a family of four could use. Some photos that we had given away, such as school photos, had a way of making their way back to us – and those memories were so precious! Even now, to see a picture that I have never seen or didn’t remember moves me. It’s like I’ve been given a rare jewel.

Last summer I had the great blessing of scanning a few hundred slides for my church. (A skill that I didn’t have before working at the museum) The pleasure was truly mine, and not only because there were approximately 122 pictures containing my family, but for the joy of reminiscing. There were pictures of people that I had childhood memories of. It was so fun knowing that I still remembered so many people that I hadn’t thought about in years. I was truly brought up around great people! There was also immense joy in sharing those photos. I was even able to print off several pictures for a couple at church that lost their home to a fire. I wish that I could have given them even more memories than I did.

Losing my own history, has affected me to this day. It’s probably the reason why I go to such lengths to help people that inquire at the museum. It is also why I strive to scan as many pictures as I can. If pictures, and even history, are spread around, then when a disaster strikes, it isn’t completely lost and can be re-collected. Share, share, and share some more. History shouldn’t be hoarded. It belongs to all of us.

Above: Winfield Daily Courier dated May 4, 1988.

Below: Slides scanned last summer of me with my Grandparents, brother and mother.

The Cowley County Historical Society dates from 1931 with a major reorganization and move to our present location in 1967. The CCHS's mission is to preserve and make available the colorful history of the county. We also support and encourage activities pertaining to local history throughout the county. Our bookstore makes available an assortment of items dealing with local history. The historical society also maintains a fine collection of historical records and vintage photographs.

Classy Vehicles on the Grounds

Please come to the museum on Saturday, June 4th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Classy Vehicles on the Grounds. Please bring your vehicle and please come join many car enthusiasts for fun, fellowship, and family time!

There will be cars to look at on the grounds of the museum and fun to be found inside the museum. Slot car racing will be done in con-junction with our current special exhibit, “Toys and Games for All Ages Through the Ages.”

This is not a juried or prize awarded event and there is no cost to show your vehicles or for the public to view. Vehicles can be old or new. Please call 221-2616 to reserve a spot.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.