Newsletter - Summer 2020
Notes From The President
Up until our current COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 was considered the deadliest in American history. It infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide, about one-third of the planet's population. It killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims, including some 675,000 Americans. At the time, there were no effective drugs or vaccines to treat this killer flu strain. Citizens were ordered to wear masks, schools, theaters; businesses were shuttered and bodies piled up in makeshift morgues before the virus ended its deadly global march.
The first wave of the 1918 pandemic occurred in the spring and was generally milk. The sick, who experienced such typical flu symptoms as chills, fever, and fatigue, usually recovered after several days, and the number of reported deaths was low. However, a second, highly contagious wave of influenza appeared with a vengeance in the fall of that same year. Victims died within hours or days of developing symptoms, their skin turning blue and their lungs filling with fluid that caused them to suffocate.
Scientists still do not know for sure where the Spanish Flu originated. Though opinions about its origins vary, some point to France, China, Britain, or the United States, the first known case was reported at Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansas, on March 11, 1918. It became known around the world as the Spanish flu, as Spain was hit hard by the disease and was not subject to the wartime news blackouts that affected other European countries.
One unusual aspect of the 1918 flu was that it struck down many previously healthy, young people, a group normally resistant to this type of infectious illness, including a number of World War I servicemen. In fact, more U.S. soldiers died from the 1918 flu than were killed in battle during the war. Additionally, hospitals in some areas were so overloaded with flu patients that schools, private homes, and other buildings had to be converted into makeshift hospitals, some of which were staffed by medical students. Officials in some communities-imposed quarantines, ordered citizens to wear masks and shut down public places, including schools, churches, and theaters. People were advised to avoid shaking hands and to stay indoors, libraries put a halt on lending books and regulations were passed banning spitting.
Although the Spanish Flu started closer to the beginning of 1918, it did not strike Cowley County until around the first of October during the second wave of the Spanish flu. In Cowley County, the restrictions were remarkably like those of the current closing order. In Winfield, schools, colleges, churches, businesses, and public assemblages were restricted from 10/18/18 until 12/27/18. Only 20 persons were allowed in a store with a frontage of 25 feet or 40 in a store with 50 feet frontage. Adults and children were told to stay home, avoid social congregations and to please not spit on sidewalk. During the election year of 1918, the pandemic interfered with campaigns, causing speaking tours to be cancelled. By the end of 1918, there were 300 patients sick at the State Hospital. This wave swept through Cowley County quickly but there was another wave of the Spanish flu in the early months of 1920.
So, to everyone, please stay safe and this will end in time.-Janet Hostetter
Volunteers!
We appreciate the individuals, groups, and businesses which have helped up. 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.
Member Email Address List
We are updating our member email list and would like to ask all members to please contact the museum office with your current email address. Thank you.
Match Monday Success
Our sincere thanks to all who gave generously on behalf of the Museum to The Legacy Foundation Match Monday fundraiser.
Celebrate 150 Years in Cowley County
1870-2020
The Cowley County Exhibit in the Main Room, curated by Cindy Goertz and committee, showcases noteworthy citizens, fashions, music, photographs and local businesses and institutions in the first 150 years of our county. It's a fabulous collection to take visitors back in time and we're excited for everyone to see it when the museum reopens.
BOOKS:
Celebrate Winfield History Books 2001-2011 (SALE) $8.00
Celebrate Winfield History Books 2012, 2015 $15.00
Celebrate Cowley County History 2016-current $15.00
Winfield’s Golden Era of Sports: $15.00
History of CC KS. The Settlers Vol. I: (out of stock)
History of CC KS. The Indians Vol. II: $33.00
Southwestern College: $21.99
Winfield – Postcard History: $21.99
All of Jerry Wallace's paperback books $10.00
Prices include Sales Tax
Shipping/handling is an additional $4.00
To purchase please stop by the museum or check out our website
www.cchsm.com. Credit Cards and Paypal are accepted.
You may also send a check or money order with a list of books to:
CCHSM
1011 Mansfield
Winfield, KS 67156
Don't forget we still have the "Cowley County Heritage, Vol. II, available. $65.00
Historical notes about Cowley county people and businesses plus lots of interesting facts.
Commemorative Bricks
There are commemorative bricks for sale which make great memorials and support the museum. The bricks border the walkway from the parking lot to the front steps. To purchase, forms can be found on the table by the books for sale or contact Museum Board member Elaine Rankin.
The following are the levels of donations. Flat red bricks with 2 lines of 12 characters each for a $75 donation. Flat red bricks with 3 lines of 12 characters each for $100 donation. A contrasting brick with 12 characters each for a $500 donation. Fewer letters may be used if you wish, such as a significant year or initials.
AmazonSmile (www.smile.amazon.com) is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to our favorite charitable organization. Just choose the Cowley Count Historical Society Museum to support.
Future Events
Scheduled events through January 2021
(Events may change depending on Covid 19. Watch for any changes on our website.)
2020
New annual exhibit now open-"Celebrate 150-1870-2020" celebrating the founding of Winfield, Arkansas City, Rock, and Dexter.
Sunday, August 23, 2:00 at CCHSM-"The Interurban" presented by Gary Learned
Monday, September 21, 4:30 at CCHSM-Museum Friends (Program to be announced)
Week of September 21-Kick off of the annual membership drive. Annual membership packets will be sent out that week-watch your mailbox.
Monday, October 19, 4:30 at CCHSM-Museum Friends (Program to be announced)
Sunday, October 25-"Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour," Highland Cemetery. Time and ticket information will be announced soon.
Sunday, November 8, 2:00 at Baden Square-"Remembering Those Who Served." During the program, all area veterans in attendance will be individually introduced and given the opportunity to share when and where they served.
Monday, November 16, 4:30 at CCHSM-Museum Friends (Program to be announced)
Sunday, December 13-"A Christmas Victorian Tea." Watch for time, place, and ticket information coming in September.
2021
Monday, December 21, 4:30 at CCHSM-Museum Friends (Program to be announced)
The Cowley County Historical Society dates from 1931 with major reorganization and a 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 county history. Our bookstore showcases an assortment of items and local history. The Society also has a fine collection of historical records and vintage photographs.
Sharing the Past with the Future