Newsletter

Blakeslee Speaks on Quivera

Dr. Blakeslee presented to a packed museum, "The Truth about Quivera". The native city known as Etzanoa has quickly become a regular part of Cowley County discourse, but few understand about its place in the larger nation of Quivera and the sheer complexity of the society itself. Dr. Blakeslee shed some light on this subject to nearly sixty attendees on Saturday, May the second, at the museum. A detailed explanation of the true size of Quivera and how it related to Etzanoa, and the Walnut River Valley was accompanied by slides and followed by Dr. Blakeslee agreeing to help identify varied pieces, and native artifacts from the personal collections of attendees. Our thanks go to Dr. Blakeslee, both for giving the presentation, and also for spending over an hour afterwards to go over pieces with those participating.

A Legend Speaks of Other Legends

There are certain names that you simply 'know" if you grew up in Cowley County. Two of them of them are Robert B. Docking and BTK, two names well known locally for completely different reasons. A third that you will know is that of Larry Hatteberg, the journalist, newsman, and the hometown lad who went on to keep us informed on the news of a wider world.

Those three names came together on Monday, March 16th, at Winfield Public Library, when Larry Hatteberg presented a dual set of talks. One on remembrances of a man who was both a story and a friend, and the other the tale of the story that he felt was the scariest he ever covered.

A crowd gathered at the library to hear Hatteberg's familiar dulcet voice as he shared his memories. The event had been moved from its usual location at the museum to the library to take advantage of the larger space.

Recreation Commission History

For seventy years Winfield citizens have been able to coordinate their recreational efforts through the offices of the Winfield Recreation Commission. The Museum was able to share a bit of this history with our Museum Friends program on Monday, April 20th when Candi Fox gave our program. Attendees enjoyed hearing Candi go through the story of the founding of the commission and how it has developed over the years.

Walnut Valley 4H at the Museum

The museum halls were filled early on Saturday the 23rd of May when Walnut Valley 4H came for a field trip. The leadership had heard that the rotating exhibit for the year featured 4H and wanted to bring the group to view it and the rest of the museum. The only thing fuller than the halls was the heart of Dusty, the museum office manager who was overjoyed to see so many young families gathered at the museum.

As the group gathered outside the museum after activities at the Winfield Farmers Market, they took a series of group pictures. Then the group surprised the staff by presenting a donation check to the museum.

Joanne Parsons was kind enough to act as a special guest guide to the current exhibit and was joined by approximately 40 4H children and parents. The families spent an hour and a half exploring the museum and peppered the staff with questions. The visit concluded with several of the children getting to ring the school bell to see the group off!

Sharon Sharing Nursing Story

A program, Nursing: From Training to Education in Winfield, Kansas, was presented to the residents of Cumbernauld Village on April 24th by Sharon Taylor, a retired nurse educator. The original paper was researched and written for the annual History Cowley County event held a Baden Square last March.

The history of nursing education in Winfield began soon after the first hospitals opened in 1899. At that time nurses were trained by a matron and with doctors providing lectures. From that time to 1968 women and men who wanted to become nurses went to a Training program that offered a diploma in nursing when Wm. Newton Memorial Hospital graduated its last class. A shortage of nurses prompted St. John’s College to begin an associate degree in 1972. By this time masters’ degree nursing faculty hired by the college taught nursing courses With the closing of St. John’s in 1986 a bachelor’s degree in nursing was offered by Southwestern College.

Trends in nursing in Winfield parallel trends in the nation as a whole. The program included descriptions of the curriculum and how it progressed through the years. Although men can be nurses the profession is primarily women, as the roles of women have changed over the years, the role of nurses has as well.

Sister Valaria, a beloved teacher of nursing, shared a story about caring for a patient. An I.V. was a new procedure and the “Snyder boys” had brought the equipment home with them from Philadelphia where they had just finished medical school. They planned to use the IV and they did. It was to stay in the patient’s arm for a few days. To make that happen, Sister and two other nurses sat by his bed and held his arm to keep an I.V. from dislodging. She said, “We sat with him three days, and counted it a privilege.” Preparing students to be a nurse was a privilege too.

New Intern on the Block

Hello! I would like to formally introduce myself as CCHSM’s summer intern! My name is Eliza Ward, I am eighteen and I hail from Arkansas City, Kansas. I am currently a student at Cowley College, pursuing an associate degree in English, while being actively involved in Cowley's choir and theatre programs! I have had previous experience volunteering at the museum through my college courses. But I am beyond lucky enough to have this opportunity thanks to the Cowley County Legacy Foundation, the CCHSM Board, and my father (CCHSM’s office manager), Dustin, who recommended I apply.

Thank you,
Eliza!

Grace on the Grounds

Friday, April 3rd, was Good Friday, and a day of good works by the folks of Grace United Methodist Church. One such work was a general clean up of the museum grounds. Volunteers collected and removed the winter leaf layer from the museum lawns and flower beds, refreshing the grounds looks for spring. Seeing both adults and youth volunteer for these kinds of efforts speaks highly of our entire community.

History of Winfield Lake

Museum Friends presentations continued to be a hit in May when city manager Taggert Wall gave a presentation on the history of Winfield Lake and plans for the lake going forward. This talk in particular was the subject of a great deal of attention on the museum’s social media.

Taggert had a wealth of materials to share, including pictures and newspaper articles from the early days of the lakes beginning. He has graciously given the museum a chance to scan in some of those same materials, to add to the museum’s archive.

Speakers stand at the dedication of the lake.

Avenue of flags across the damn for lake opening.

Lovely Ladies Gather for Victorian Tea

A Victorian era tea/brunch was held in the home of Marsha Granberry on Saturday, March 14. The home, built in the early 1900’s, was the perfect setting for the event and Marsha was the perfect gracious hostess as she and her “staff” served their guests in the traditional Victorian era style. The guests were seated at a beautifully appointed Victorian era themed table and treated to a multi-course Victorian fare brunch with a choice of entrée and dessert. A similar event, the Fairytale Tea, will be held in August for children, mothers, and grandmothers. Reservations for that event will be available beginning July 27 on our website or by calling the museum, 620-221-4811.

Your Votes Mattered

For the ninth year in a row, you the people of Cowley County have chosen us as the best museum in Cowley County. Thank you all who voted for us in the Courier/Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Not only did you select Cowley County Historical Society Museum as best museum we also were a favorite in the voting for best tourist attraction! None of this would happen without the support of you our community.

Future 2026 Summer Events

Observatory Hill Open House — Saturday, June 6th at historic Observatory Hill
History of the Cowley County Fair — Presented by Mary Hittle, Monday, June 15th, at the museum, at 4:30 P.M.
America Celebrates 250 — The Winfield 250 committee presents food, music, and festivities for the 250 anniversary of the Untied States. See flyer on page 10 for more details.
What’s it Worth? — Find out if your antiques are truly treasures at Cowley County Historical Society Museum from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Saturday July 25th
Saturday, August 8, 10:00 OR 1:00: “Fairytale Tea” — Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters will be treated to a 3 course Victorian Tea Party. Watch for location, reservation and ticket information.
Sunday, August 30, 5:00-8”00: 2nd annual “Pickin’, Pork, and Pie at the Pub” at Ladybird Brewery — Watch for ticket information

CCHSM Board of Directors

Jonathan Leeper, Bill Mueller, Vice President Sharon Taylor, Joe Chrisman, Chris Jarvis, Graham Donals, Secretary Jody Lawrence, John Baker, Treasurer Karen Vann Young, Becky Winblad, Cindy Goertz, and President Julie Mignone

Commemorative Bricks

We partner with Dawson Monument to engrave bricks, which are for sale, and make great memorials and also 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 call 620-221-4811.

There are three 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.

Established in 1931 and revitalized in 1967 with a relocation to our current home on Mansfield Street in the historic Bryant School building, the Cowley County Historical Society is dedicated to safeguarding and sharing the vibrant stories of our county’s past.
We are committed to fostering and promoting endeavors that celebrate local history. We take pride in our extensive archive of historical documents and treasured photographic memories.
Come visit and see what’s new (or old) at the museum!

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.

These businesses support us—won't you support them?

(We hope to add more during the coming months.)

Cowley County Historical Society Museum is funded in part by the taxpayers of Cowley County.