Newsletter - Spring 2021

Note from the President

Spring is finally here and with i new beginnings. After the rough 2020 year, the museum board, as well as most of you, are ready for some new beginnings.

An open house was held on June 13th with great success. Many compliments were given in regard to new exhibits and how fresh and new the museum looked. For those of you not in attendance, an open invitation is made to you to come and enjoy our local museum. There will be more about the open house in the next newsletter.

We have added our previous coordinator, Stephanie Humphries, to our board. We still have openings for board members. Please consider becoming a board member and helping us and the community to "preserve the past with the future."

With an eye toward the future, the museum roof needs to be replaced soon. We are planning a campaign to make that happen. Stay tuned for future announcements.

-Janet Hostetter

Congratulations to Board member Cheri Nichols and husband Walt who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 11!

Thanks a million to John Wallace at the Southwestern College copy room for all his help and expertise in printing the museum newsletter and other materials.

Bridge Tours and Programs

Recently board member, Cindy Goertz, conducted Stone Bridge Tours for KMUW photojournalist, LuAnne Stephens, and KANSAS magazine photojournalist, Bill Stephens. The KMUW article and pictures were published in April and the KANSAS magazine pictures and article will be published later this summer.

"What's New at the Museum"

Cindy Goertz presented programs at the Wm. Newton Hospital Auxiliary and the Winfield Rotary Club highlighting the new exhibits and displays that were created at the museum during this past year. She also shared events and programs planned for the coming months. Those in attendance were encouraged to attend the museum open house held Sunday, June 13, 1-4 p.m.

Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour

The Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour was held Sunday, April 25 at Highland Cemetery. Interesting people buried in Highland Cemetery and St Mary Cemetery were portrayed by reenactors sharing their life stories, and other folks were highlighted in the "bio stops." Phil Jarvis shared a doctor's experience during the 1918 pandemic.

Thanks to all who participated especially Graham Donals, LeAnn Lauffer for being tour guides.

Bob Hartung, portraying Col. Edward O. McComas

Bob Hartley, depicting Fred Clarke

Mary Jarvis, presenting Blanche Jarvis

Robbie Banks, in character as E. Marie Burdette

Gail Ranger, as Adaline Hamilton

Do you remember...?

I recently ran across a photo that I would like to share thinking it is very appropriate for the times we are going through.

"Curbside delivery" was a new expression for many during 2020, but back in 1951 it was also a trend of the time. You have to look closely at this picture but there was a truck stop on South Main Street that had BBQ and curb service. Before anyone asks, I do not know the name of this establishment as it wasn't noted on the picture. It was taken during the flood of 1951 and if anyone remembers it, please let us know the name of this business.-Janet

Museum Friends

Museum Friends met for the first time in over a year on May 18 on the south lawn of the museum. Joanna Parsons presented the program, "3 Generations of the McClung family and life on the farm." About 75 people enjoyed hearing the stories from the Tannehill/Rainbow Bend area of the county.

Cowley County Law Enforcement Memorial

The Cowley County Law Enforcement Memorial is located on the north side of the museum. It was constructed by Eagle Scout, Mark Thompson, and Boy Scout Troop #318, as his Eagle Scout Project. It honors the seven fallen law enforcement officers serving in Cowley County from the late 1800's through the 1950's. A plaque with a brief history of the law enforcement officer is mounted by each memorial stone. It will be dedicated later this summer.-Cindy

Mark Thompson, in white hat, grandson of Museum Board member Cindy Goertz, begins work on his Eagle Scout project.

The finished garden is on the west side of the parking lot.

The gents from Daniel's Ready Mix manhandle the massive Hotel Brettun safe, given to the museum by Richard Peacock.

Museum Board members Bill Mueller and Stephanie Humphries, right, representing CCHSM at the Cowley County Agriculture Day at the Fairgrounds. Thank you both!

Research Volunteer Report - Part I

Bill & Lou Tharp

The museum's paper archives and research resources have been moved from the basement into a new office and research center on the first floor of the building. Flooding in the basement several years ago prompted this move. The resource materials and archives have been reorganized and are easier to access. The new resource center offers a great deal to individuals needing information about Cowley County.

The following resources are available:

• an almost complete set of city directories (1880-present)
• indexes of Cowley County cemeteries
• a collection of telephones books
• a small collection of Cowley County Winfield Rural directories
• a collection of early newspaper obituaries listed alphabetical
• a large collection of Courier Achievement Editions, indexed
• a complete collection of obituaries from the Winfield Courier, 1992-July 2013 and Traveler/Courier August 2013 to the present, by date
• information about churches, local schools, and rural schools
• a complete set of Southwestern College and Winfield High School yearbooks
• an assortment of yearbooks from Arkansas City High School; Cowley County Community College; St. John's College; and the high schools in Burden, Cambridge, Atlanta, and Dexter
• Individual bios of many county residents and family histories
• scrapbooks of family histories and organizations
• information on organizations, clubs, hospitals
• materials on Cowley County small towns, past and present
• information and histories on local homes, past and present
• information on Winfield and Arkansas City businesses, past and present
• archives containing information on almost any subject imaginable
• a number of very helpful resource books

We look forward to showing you our new research center and are most willing to help if you have something to research.

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 Indians Vol. II: $33.00
Southwestern College: $21.99
Winfield – Postcard History: $21.99
Penrose Hills Albright $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
Or email us at: cchsm@kans.com

Unfortunately, we did not have enough people interested in ordering a Cowley County History Volume I to reprint copies. However, we do have a link to the book online.

https://usgenwebsites.org/KSGenWeb/archives/1912/c/cowley_county.html

Commemorative Bricks

There are commemorative bricks for sale which make great memorials and support eh 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 Board member Elaine Rankin at the museum.

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.

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.

All donations, both monetary and historical artifacts, are greatly appreciated. Our building is over 140 years old and requires significant ongoing maintenance in addition to operating costs. We continue to be a no fee museum and we have no plans to change that. Your continued support will allow us to best serve the community.

We are currently in need of boys' toys and anything from diverse ethnic groups. We are seeking to add a woman's coat from the 1960's to complete a fashion display.

FUTURE EVENTS

Events may change depending on Covid-19 and the weather. Watch for any changes on our website.

2021

July 25-"Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War," 2 p.m.

Sept. 12-History on the Grounds Activities, demonstration, games and food, storytelling with reenactors, music 1-4:30 museum grounds

Oct. TBA "Santa Fe Trail"

Oct. 18-Museum Friends 4:30 museum

Nov. 15-Museum Friends "History Feud" 4:30 museum

2022

Jan. 29-Celebrate Cowley History Day, Baden Square, 9 a.m.

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