Newsletter - Fall 2023

President’s Report
Merry Christmas to all CCHSM members and Museum Friends! My name is Madison Metzinger, and I am honored to serve as the CCHSM Board President. It has been a busy fall and start to winter at the museum. During the October meeting, we voted on a new slate of officers for the next fiscal year: Bill Mueller, Vice President; Brittany Donals, Secretary; and Lindsey Rice, Treasurer. We are excited to introduce two new board members, Joe Chrisman and Karen Vann Young.
The Roof Replacement project is complete! We want to give a heartfelt thank you to a very generous, anonymous donor, along with other substantial members who made this project attainable. The weather and some unexpected challenges made the road to completion a long one, but it was worth the wait because it looks terrific! Board Member Gary Learned oversaw the project and worked with contractors to schedule the work. He was an outstanding advocate for the museum during this process. Thank you, Gary! We invite everyone to come down and see the roof.
In 2021, the Museum was awarded a grant from The American Alliance of Museums to bring in a museum professional for a three-day consultation. We received helpful feedback and advice from Brian Failing, Executive Director at Aurora Fire Muse-um. Brian came back for a follow-up visit in October this year. He was impressed with Museum Administrator Amy Jo and the museum’s progress.
The second annual Fall Appreciation was an evening full of tasty food and loads of gratitude. The museum is blessed with such an active volunteer base. We could not celebrate our volunteers in such a big way if it weren’t for the generosity of our sponsors. Thank you, sponsors: Community National Bank, Advantage Chiropractic, Home on the Range, B & B Realty, Webber Land Co, David Andreas Law Office, Bud and Charlotte Johnson, John Baker, Union State Bank, American Family Insurance, and Daniels Ready Mix.
Cindy Goertz and Elaine Rankin have retired off the board and been promoted to Emeritus Board Members. We are appreciative of the commitment they continue to make to the museum. They both fulfilled many roles, from beautifying the landscape to planning events; they did it all. Cindy served on the board for 17 years, and Elaine served for 12 years. We will miss their leadership but look forward to still seeing them at the museum.
We are incredibly grateful to have such thoughtful members who make it possible to preserve Cowley County History. Cheers to a bright 2024! Madison

Featured, left to right:
Cindy Goertz, Madison Metzinger and Elaine Rankin

At our Museum Friends "Neighborhood Grocery Stores" event this past September 18th; we had 61 attendees that filled the museum with laughter and nostalgia. Jane Sandbulte, our presenter, took everyone on a journey through Winfield's past, sharing stories of the approximately 130 mom-and-pop grocery stores that once adorned our residential areas in the 1920’s. The above images capture the warmth of our community connections as participants reminisced about the bygone era of local corner shops and shared cherished memories. Remember, Museum Friends normally meets every third Monday at 4:30pm, but does not meet in December or January.

Cheers to the Southwestern Lady Builder Basketball Team for their fantastic help in assembling our membership packets! A big thank you to Cindy Goertz for organizing and treating the team to pizza in gratitude for their annual support. Your dedication to community service not only makes you valued champions on the court but also invaluable assets to our beloved community. We appreciate how great it is to see your team making a positive impact off the court. Thank you, Lady Builders!

The Historic Porch Tour, held on October 8th alongside Winfield's 150th celebration, offered a captivating glimpse into the city's rich history. Six exquisite homes, with engaging reenactments and historical narratives by Marsha Granberry, Mary Jarvis, Susan Andrews, Gary Brewer, Jody Magee, and Bill Mueller, showcased the first families that lived in those homes.
Attendees, including folks from the broader surrounding community, gathered to admire the architectural gems from the porches and enjoyed the added charm of a horse and carriage at one of the homes which enhanced the tour experience for all.
The museum's commitment to community involvement was evident as people from all walks of life came together, shared memories, and collectively embraced Winfield's unique heritage. Join us for more upcoming events as we continue to weave the tapestry of Winfield's fascinating narrative!

On October 16th, we gathered to honor the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination. JoAnn Parsons led a presentation. It featured newspaper photos that transported us back to that awful historic day. Preserved newspapers and local accounts offered a unique glimpse into the era. These special events are part of our ongoing commitment to sharing history with our community. Thanks to all who joined in reflection.

The museum came alive with excitement as Winfield Middle School's 6th graders delved into Cowley County's history. With over 190 attendees, the day was a delightful blend of curiosity and joy. They revisited their 5th grade time capsules, and made lasting memories—perhaps some future museum curators in the making!

Our ‘Voices from the Past” Cemetery Tour on October 22nd was a captivating exploration of Winfield's history. Nestled in Union-Graham Cemetery, reenactors embodied the founding fathers for whom our streets are named. This unique and immersive daytime experience allowed attendees to connect with Winfield's rich past, all within the serene setting of the cemetery, established in 1872 and expanded to over 20 acres by 1930.

Special thanks to all six of the historical reenactors, the seven member Voices from the Past committee, and our two tour guides for their support in making this event happen! Also thanks to the City of Winfield for cleaning up the debris from the August storm so that we could have the event.

The Museum's Fall Appreciation Dinner, held on October 30th at Baden Square, was a memorable evening. Dedicated to honoring our invaluable volunteers, supporters, and sponsors—the pillars of our museum's success—we showcased the many events and accomplishments through an entertaining slideshow.
The event also highlighted the outstanding contributions of two remarkable individuals. Cindy, with 17 years of devoted service, has left an indelible mark on our exhibits and organizational development, while Elaine, a community cornerstone for 12 years, has played a vital role in maintaining our museum's grounds. Their unwavering commitment and passion have truly enriched our institution. This event was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to all our supporters, volunteers, and sponsors, who play a crucial role in our mission to share the wonders of art and history with our community.

Our recent Museum Friends event, "Roller Rink Revival," was a delightful journey into Winfield's roller skating legacy. Held on November 20th at the Museum, the evening featured Dwayne and Gene Peacock sharing their captivating roller rink stories. Attendees dusted off their skates, brought cherished roller rink photos, and reveled in the timeless joy of gliding through the decades. Laughter, stories, and a few twists and turns on the nostalgic rink made for a memorable evening of community bonding. Stay tuned for more events that bring Winfield's vibrant history to life!

In October, our museum administrator, Amy Jo McWhirt, spoke to the Cowley County Association of Retired Service Professionals during their board meeting in Ark City. Amy enthusiastically discussed the museum's offerings and emphasized the ongoing need for volunteers and board members. She highlighted the various programs and events, emphasizing the museum's continued commitment to sharing cultural and historical treasures with the community. Amy's presentation not only underscored the museum's significance but also encouraged the retired professionals to contribute actively to our history-sharing mission.
As a result, they donated a $50 check to CCHSM. Thank you, CCARSP!

In the spirit of community camaraderie, the Cowley County Historical Society proudly played a part in spreading holiday cheer by contributing a special "Old Fashioned Christmas" tree to the December Marquee fundraiser. Adorned with handcrafted ornaments that reflect the charm of bygone eras, our tree not only showcased our commitment to preserving history but also contributed to the festive atmosphere of the event. Our collaboration with the Marquee underscores our ongoing dedication to enriching the community experience.
We're grateful for the chance to be part of such a wonderful initiative and for the partnership with Allyson Moon!

At Winterfest on December 3rd, the South Kansas Symphony headlined a musical celebration at the Richardson Performing Arts Center at South-western College.
The evening's unique highlight, "The Typewriter," featured an old 1950’s typewriter from the museum’s collection which blended history and music for a truly fun experience. All the attendees enjoyed a unique and magical musical journey, creating lasting memories.
Thank you, Jan Hathaway, for providing the wonderful photograph. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

Future Events in 2024

• Thursday, January 18th: “Sons of Veterans of the Civil War” at 7:00 pm at CCHSM.
• Saturday, January 27th: “Celebrate Cowley County History Day” at 9:00 am at Baden Square.
• February 15th: “Trains, Planes and Automobiles of Cowley County” new annual exhibit opens.
• Monday, February 19th, Museum Friends: program to be announced, at 4:30 pm at CCHSM.
• Thursday, February 15th: “Sons of Veterans of the Civil War” at 7:00 pm at CCHSM.
• Monday, March 18th, Museum Friends: “Bonnie Hittle’s Postcard Books” 4:30pm at CCHSM.

To Use the Dillons Food Stores Community Rewards Program: Simply encourage your participants to visit the appropriate link below..
For Dillons Stores - go to http://www.dillons.com
For Baker's Stores - go to http://www.bakersplus.com
For Gerbes Stores - go to http://www.gerbes.com
Once logged into their Dillons Food Stores account they can search for Cowley County Historical Society. Museum either by name or LM545 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

FOR SALE AT THE MUSEUM AND ONLINE:
2024 “Then and Now” Calendar $12.00
Celebrate Winfield History Books 2001-2011 $15.00
Celebrate Winfield History Books 2012, 2015 $15.00
Celebrate Cowley County History 2016-2023 $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 $6.00
To purchase any of our awesome books, 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 St.
Winfield, KS 67156
Or email us at: museumcchsm@gmail.com

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 especially seeking anything from diverse ethnic groups to add to our displays.

Unwrap the gift of history this holiday season with our “Then and Now” 2024 calendar, priced at just $12. Featuring captivating photos of Cowley County, each page is a journey through time, accompanied by insightful historical tidbits. Your purchase not only showcases local heritage but also contributes to our museum's community support initiatives. Make memories last and give back with the perfect gift this year!

Commemorative Bricks
We have commemorative bricks for sale which make great memorials and also support the museum financially. The bricks border our walkway from the parking lot to the front steps of our Historic school building.
To purchase an engraved brick, a form can be picked up at Museum, or we can email you one.
DETAILS: 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.