Newsletter - Fall 2019
Hello, Everyone!
I hope this finds you staying warm in what suddenly feels like winter outside! The museum has been so lucky the last few months with great weather for all of our outdoor events we have had! The two weeks of History Alive had great weather with only one rainy day and Voices from the Past had perfect weather for our four cemetery tours! I can definitely say with confidence, you just never know what the weather will do here in Kansas!
We have been plugging along with our construction of the new office space and ephemeral archives rooms which are now going to be located on the main floor. I believe painting will start this week and move in could happen in the next few weeks! The new space will be quite nice and have wonderful natural light– something everyone will, I’m sure, appreciate. Stay tuned on Facebook and our Website on updates – we would love for our members to tour the new space when it’s completed.
We are welcoming three new board members to the museum this Fall. With the introduction of Madison Metzinger, Wes Keeley, and Sharry Turner onto the board, we foresee great things happening for our museum.
Also of interest are some exciting collaborative programs happening with the Winfield Middle School students, Brian White, and creating QR codes to scan around the museum to learn more about certain items and/or subjects. Once completed this will be interactive and two dimensional for future visitors!
If you haven't already renewed your membership this fall, please do so! Our membership drive is in full swing! Thank you to all who have already sent those in! Any membership at $100 or over will be receiving their 2020 calendar soon! Calendars are also on sale at the museum and the Courier for $10.00.
Happy fall to all!
Stephanie
History is Alive at Our Museum!
Hal Hinson teaches visiting third graders a “lesson” in our classroom!
The History of quilts is fascinating and these Country View third graders were really interested in the ones the museum has on display! All visiting 3rd graders had the opportunity to make a “quilt square” with paper pieces.
Making butter! We had so many stories from families who’s third grader came home and wanted to make butter! Including mine (we ate homemade butter he made for a week)! Another third grader brought came in with their grandparent and talked about making butter a week earlier! We luckily had some left over that they were able to enjoy on their visit here!
Mrs. Wise’s 3rd grade class at Holy Name school, proudly pieced and are displaying their “friendship quilt” in the school’s hallway!
Our Annual Meeting was the held the beginning of October here at the museum. It was great fun, with refreshments, live entertainment by Josh and Julie Melcher, a presentation on the early days of Cowley County, and it was a good opportunity museum members to see the progress of the new office and archives space!
Voices from the Past 2019
Mourning Jewelry made with deceased loved ones hair, seed pearls, and encased in Gutta Percha.
Albert Taylor Shenneman
April 10, 1846—January 25, 1883
Jerome B (Tony Parker) Agler 1824-1911
If you weren’t able to attend our Voices from the Past event in October, please consider coming in the future. The reenactors do an AMAZING job depicting former Cowley County residents and telling their amazing stories. Also, if you attended the event and did NOT get a booklet at the end, please come by the museum and we will print one out for you!
Beverley Olson Buller presented a pro-gram on William Allen White's granddaughter at the October meeting of Museum Friends.
Jill Ball and Walt Nichols stand by the beautiful Kansas themed barn quilt they created to raise money for the museum. Tickets are still be drawn and the winner will be announced at the Cowley County History day in January!
Volunteers!!
We appreciate the individuals, groups, and businesses which have helped us. These partnerships are invaluable. Remember that we are always in need of volunteers, so please contact us to see how you can be of help.
FUTURE EVENTS!
November 2019 through April 2020
2019
Monday, November 18, 4:30 p.m.—Museum Friends, CCHSM meeting room FREE
December 29—Current CCHSM exhibit, “Stitching Memories Piece by Piece” closes
2020
Monday, January 20, 4:30 p.m., Museum Friends, CCHSM meeting room FREE
Saturday, January 25--“Celebrate Cowley County History” 9-12, Baden Square FREE
Saturday, February 8—“The Long Road to Women’s Suffrage in Kansas”, Diane Sickhoff, 2:00 pm. Winfield Public Library, FREE
February 15—New exhibit opens at the museum—“Celebrate 2020”
Monday, February 17—4:30 p.m., Museum Friends, CCHSM meeting room FREE
March—Museum open house—date to be announced. Watch for details
Monday, March 16—4:30 p.m., Museum Friends, CCHSM meeting room FREE
Sunday, April 5—2:00 p.m., “Early Settlers of Cowley County”, Janet Hostetter, CCHSM meeting room FREE
Monday, April 20—4:30 p.m., Museum Friends, CCHSM meeting room FREE
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 our 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.