Newsletter

Current & Future Events
“Once Upon a Time” display celebrates Winfield’s 150th anniversary in the Main room!

March 20th at 4:30 pm: Museum Friends present “Meet John P. Baden” aka Larry Junker
March 23rd at 10am: Chamber Coffee at the Museum
March 24th at 1:30-3:30 pm: Cowley County Golden Tigers
April 17th at 4:30 pm: Museum Friends present “KANZA, 1961 Extravaganza”
April 20th at 6:30 pm: Sons of Union Vets of Civil War

Board of Directors

CCHSM Board of Directors
(Left to Right, Top to Bottom)
Kent Melcher
Jonathan Leeper
Jesse Morris
Bill Mueller
Gary Learned
Lindsey Rice
Cindy Goertz
Elaine Rankin
Jody Lawrence
Madison Metzinger
Julie Mignone
Brittany Donals
John Baker (not shown)

Joyce Brown Johnson presented a program entitled, “Growing up in Cowley County” at the Cowley County Historical Society Museum. (Nov 26, 2022)

Joyce and her family grew up in Winfield and Arkansas City. She had many wonderful memories, pictures, and stories that she shared.

Joining her in presenting the program were her siblings, Waldon “Don” Brown and Walton “Ron” Brown and Louis “Joe” Schooler. Joyce has spent many years in other cities but cherishes the memories she made in Cowley County.

CCHSM would like to thank the Brown-Schooler family for the very generous donation made to the museum, both monetarily and a suitcase full of wonderful pictures, stories and other memorabilia. THANK YOU!

Museum Friends presents: Seth Bate “Coming Home to Winfield” which was based on research Bate conducted for his master’s thesis in local and community history at Wichita State University. The research also became the backbone of the book Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival, published by Arcadia/The History Press to coincide with the 50th festival in September. In addition to the chapters Bate wrote, the book included contributions from musicians including John McCutcheon and Beppe Gambetta. It also included reflections by locals who are connected to the Walnut Valley Festival including Wayne Steadham, Larry Junker, Greg Smyer, and Russell and Sherry Brace. (Nov. 21, 2022)

Great group from Cowley College for their Professional Development Day.

We had a pretty full house! Bill Mueller presented on “The Early History and Development of Cowley County” then everyone got to freely tour our historic old building, which was all decorated for Christmas. Thanks for coming! (Dec. 13, 2022)

Christmas at the Museum

Adults and Children alike enjoyed a variety of live music performances, crafts for all ages, and Christmas story time with “Miss Jo” from the Winfield Public Library and Cheri Gonzales from Winfield Arts & Humanities Council entertained in the technology room.

There were pictures and visits with Santa, displays of wonderful Christmas collections and of course refreshments! There was something for every age to enjoy! We had over 150 visitors! (Dec. 11, 2022)

Kansas Day at Whittier Elementary was an entertaining achievement! Cindy Goertz presented "Early Winfield Transportation," Hal Hinson presented as an old-fashioned "Schoolmaster," Mary Jarvis showed how to do old-timey laundry by hand, and Dominick, Ayla and Amy Jo McWhirt showed "Pack your Wagon for the Oregon Trail." Alliances like this make us feel privileged to be included in the community. We’re Whittier Proud! (Jan. 27, 2023)

Gloria Ulbrich, Cindy Goertz, Robert Hartley and Kent Melcher were at Baden Square to “Celebrate Cowley County History.” Each presented a topic that is featured in the 2023 Celebrate Cowley County History book. Kent read “Merrily We Roll Along” written by Robert McDermott in 1941 on his hometown Winfield, KS. (Jan. 28, 2023)

This 2023 edition and all editions going back to 2001 when we first started are available for sale at the Museum, or on our website at www.cchsm.com

Thanks to wonderful volunteers, the Museum has gained some new possessions to enhance the visiting experience. Carl Martin donated his 1992-1998 Walnut Valley Youth Choir scrapbook albums to CCHSM. Dana James contributed a nifty 1920's replica kitchen display, based on her mothers own kitchen. The appliances are metal and have moving parts. Bob Hartung cleaned up our Navy mannequin with a spiffy new neckerchief , shoes and a jaunty sailor cap.

Gary Learned presented for Friends of the Museum. He talked about trolley cars pulled by mules, horses, and donkeys. These animals provided public transportation on regular routes beginning in 1886 in Winfield and 1887 in Arkansas City. Each city had its own trolley operation. In 1909 a system of electricity-powered trolleys came to Cowley County. This system was known as the interurban. Gary shared many pictures and maps as he told the fascinating story of the "Historic Trolleys in Cowley County.” (Feb. 20, 2023)

Gary Learned

Dear Cowley County Historical Soc. Museum, Congratulations on your enrollment into the Dillons Food Stores Community Rewards Program. Your participants may begin enrolling upon receipt of this email. You have been assigned a new NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number LM545. Please refer to this number in all future correspondence. 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 Soc. 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. *Customers must have a registered Dillons Food Stores rewards card account to link to your organization. *If a member does not yet have a Dillons Food Stores rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Dillons

FOR SALE AT THE MUSEUM:
2023 Commemorative Calendar (150 Anniversary) $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 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

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 any-thing 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.