Newsletter - Fall 2022
A NOTE FROM THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome I have received since coming aboard CCHSM in October. I was first drawn to Winfield because of the beautiful historical houses. When visiting, I had admired my sister-in-law’s 100-year-old house, and just knew that I was going to have my own someday. Now, here I am, moved here from Colorado for three years. My Winfield house was built in 1924 and is called a Storybook Style from what research tells me. You might also know me from my work at K-State Extension as a Master Gardener working for Becky Reid. You might have seen me working as an election clerk at the last four elections here in Cowley County. Maybe at Art in the Park with my booth Whimsical Woodworks. Or at the many theater related functions my family attends. I am on the Cowley County Humane Society Board of Directors. I also recently graduated from Leadership Cowley County 2022 and explored so much unknown territory in the region.
I am looking forward to interacting with you all as a community and as individuals with fun gatherings, lectures, and of course, Facebook. Hope to see you around!
Amy Jo McWhirt
Cheers to the 50th WVF
CCHSM sponsored a celebration of the Walnut Valley Festival 50th anniversary at the Ladybird Brewery in Winfield. A preview performance of “Winfield, the Bluegrass Musical” was held followed by a performance by Brutal Bears, a Wichita based folk group.
Southwestern Lady Builder Basketball once again helped with the membership mailing in September 2022. Over 400 mailing packets were prepped in a very short time!
A Wonderful addition to our archives was received in October! The Cowley Courier-Traveler donated many volumes of bound Winfield Courier books to the museum.
The Southwestern Lady Builder Basketball team helped move those large bound books from upstairs in the Courier building where they had been stored to our storage building. What a help they were and what a nice addition to our archives these past editions of the Winfield Courier are.
150th Anniversary
Winfield will be celebrating it’s 150th anniversary in 2023. As a part of that celebration the events 150 committee at the museum has been collecting oral histories of “Memories of Winfield”. Several class reunions have been video recorded as a part of this project. Larry Hatteburg did the video recording for the class of 1962 at the museum in September. Other classes that have been recorded are the 70-year class of 1952, the class of 1954, the class of 1967, and the 50 year class or 1972. Pieces of these recordings as well as others recorded throughout the next year will be compiled into a video piece at the end of 2023.
Museum Friends started the fall with two wonderful programs. Martin Rude shared the history of “The Barns at Timber Creek” in October. He showed pictures of the early pioneers in Cowley County who first owned the property and the history of that family and how the current buildings at the venue came into being.
Prior to the Martin Rude program Nancy Cowlishaw, former CCHSM administrator, was recognized and thanked for the many ways she helped the museum during her 2 ½ years as administrator. Nancy resigned in July to take a position at the Winfield Public Library.
The October meeting of Museum Friends featured four long time Winfield residents recalling memories of life growing up in Winfield. Mary Hartley, H.T.Hittle, and Roland and Sheryle Ohm all related interesting stories of their memories of Winfield prior to 1955.
All four are Winfield High School graduates with three of the four 1954 WHS graduates.
The theme for the Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour this year was “The Wild Wild West and more Wild Tales” and included stories of folks connected to the 101 Ranch. Since the G.W. Miller family lived in Winfield when he started the ranch it became a topic that was explored with a special program given by Joe Glaser, a Ponca City native and Miller 101 Ranch historian and longtime board member of the Miller 101 Ranch Old Timers Association which collects and shares the 101 Ranch and oversees the original 101 Ranch site. He shared pictures and told stories about the ranch and the Miller’s 101 Wild West Show that toured the United States and Europe.
The annual Voices from the Past Cemetery tour was held at Union-Graham Cemetery October 23. The theme this year was “The Wild Wild West and more Wild Tales”. Costumed reenactors shared the stories of Civil War Veterans, 101 Cowboys, Wild West Performers, and other wild and touching stories. There were eight stories that related to the Miller’s 101 Ranch and the G.W. Miller family who owned several lots in both the Union and Graham cemeteries. Following the reenactors stories those attending were led by a tour guide to the gravesites of those whose stories were told.
The Miller 101 Ranch theme was celebrated once more on November 6 when the Winfield Public Library and the Cowley County Historical Society Museum partnered to bring author E. Joe Brown to Winfield from New Mexico. Brown’s grandfather had worked as a cowhand on the 101 Ranch for two years and became the inspiration for his new book, “A Cowboy’s Destiny—the 101 Ranch”.
The book has been #2 on the Oklahoma fiction list this fall after it was published in August and is the first in the Kelly Can Series. E. Joe Brown entertained the audience with music, stories, and glimpses into his new book prior to his book signing.
A “Fall Appreciation” dinner was held at The Barns at Timber Creek on November 6. Members, Museum Friends, and museum volunteers were all invited to the event hosted by the museum board of directors.
It was an evening planned to let all those who are so vital to the success of the museum know how much they are appreciated. It was also an opportunity for all the folks who support the museum in any way to visit and meet one another. We also introduced our new administrator, Amy Jo McWhirt.
On November 9th Bill and Belinda Mueller were honored by Legacy Foundation as the 2021 recipients of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award. Bill has been an active museum board member and active volunteer for many years. He and Belinda are active participants in many organizations in Cowley County and are always ready to volunteer and help in whatever way they can with those organizations. Congratulations Bill and Belinda!
FUTURE EVENTS:
Sunday, December 11— 2-4 p.m. “It’s Christmas at the Museum” activities, entertainment, and more. Admission: Donation See website and Facebook for details.
Thursday, January 19—6:30pm “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War” camp meeting, CCHSM
Saturday, January 28—Celebrate Cowley County History morning, 9 a.m., Baden Square, Winfield.
February 15—New exhibit in main room opens, “Once Upon a Time” celebrating Winfield’s 150th anniversary
Thursday, February 16—6:30pm “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War” camp meeting, CCHSM
Monday, February 20—4:30pm Museum Friends, “Gone but not Forgotten” memories of cherished landmarks.
Thursday, March 16—6:30pm “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War” camp meeting, CCHSM
Monday March 20—4:30pm Museum Friends, “Early Winfield Area Settler Families Share their Stories”
Thursday, March 23rd–10am Chamber of Commerce Coffee Event
Mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, December 11th and plan to spend your time at the museum for a very special event, “It’s Christmas at the Museum.”
Experience the magic of Christmas with live music from 3 different groups, crafts for all ages with Winfield Arts and Humanities, children’s Christmas stories read as only “Miss Jo” from the Winfield Public Library can do, enjoy your visit with Santa and even a picture or two with that, enjoy the wonderful holiday collections on display throughout the museum and of course enjoy some holiday refreshments. There will also be some special holiday raffle items available. The ticket you receive with a donation will make you eligible to win one of these items. Admission is by donation! See the flyer for more information as well as our Facebook page and webpage. Invite your friends and bring your families.
Doors open at 1:30pm with the entertainment and activities beginning at 2 p.m.
FOR SALE AT THE MUSEUM:
2023 Commemorative Calendar (150 Anniversary) $12.00
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
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 Board member Elaine Rankin at the museum.
There are the levels of donations. Flat red brick with 2 lines of 12 characters -$75 donation. Flat red brick with 3 lines of 12 characters -$100 donation. A contrasting brick with 12 characters-$500 donation. Fewer letters may be used if you wish.
All donations, both monetary and historical artifacts, are greatly appreciated. Our building is over 140 years old and requires significant on-going 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 com-munity.
We are especially seeking anything from diverse ethnic groups to add to our displays.
The Cowley County Historical Society dates from 1931 with major reorganization and a move to our present location in 1967. The CCHSM’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 about local history as well. The Museum also has a fine collection of historical records and vintage photographs.