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Kansas 150On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state in the Union. The Daily Conservative, a Leavenworth newspaper that had been in operation only one day, became the first to announce the news by publishing a special edition. According to the editor, “the news flew like wild-fire.” In 2011, Kansas will celebrate 150 years of statehood with its rich history and unique experiences. The Kansas Sesquicentennial Commemoration begins on Friday, January 28, 2011, with a special program at the Capitol. Festivals, concerts, theatrical performances, quilt shows and more will take place across Kansas as Kansans recognize this 150th year of statehood. Don’t get left out. Be part of the commemorating 150 years of Kansas statehood! The Capitol is holding the kick-off event on Friday, January 28 from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the House of Representatives chamber. Due to limited seating and construction work on the Capitol, it will not be possible for large numbers of people to attend. Fortunately everyone in Kansas and the world will be able to witness this unforgettable program since it will be streamed live on the internet. Visit the ks150.org website to tune in. The Kansas Historical Society invites you to join the commemoration on January 28 and 29, 2011, in Topeka. The traditional event for school children will be held at the Kansas Museum of History, Friday, January 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes performances of American Indian music and dances by Dennis Rogers, folk music and stories by Rosie Cutrer, hands-on learning activities tied directly to the Kansas academic standards, demonstrations of historic crafts and skills, interaction with historic reenactors and museum tour guides and more. You are invited to remain into the early evening for a viewing of The Wizard of Oz, a Kansas favorite. The program and entrance to the museum gallery is free. The celebration continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. A variety of activities will take place including performances highlighting the ethnic diversity of the state will run throughout the day. Dennis Rogers, an American Indian artist, performer and cultural educator is a featured performer. The day will also include demonstrations of historic crafts and trades, displays and lectures by Kansas artists and historical characters wandering the event. Visitors won’t want to miss the exhibits in the museum’s galleries highlighting the history of Kansas. The program is free and a reduced admission rate to the museum gallery is $1.50 on Saturday. From January 28 through December 31, 150 Things I Love About Kansas will be presented in conjunction with this special anniversary. It will feature 150 things both past and present, including historical artifacts, documents, and photographs, artwork, writings about Kansas, portraits of Kansans, and reminiscences of historical events. This exhibit is funded in part by Capitol Federal Foundation. Available anytime, take in the true beauty, unique qualities and rich history of Kansas by traveling along one of the Kansas Byways. Experience the joy of seeing Kansas at its first settlers did along the Frontier Military Scenic Byway. You will see why so many came, stayed and were proud to call Kansas home. Visit Fort Scott January 29-30 and take part in a Civil War Encampment. As the nation was edging closer to war, Captain Nathaniel Lyon and his men of the 2nd U.S. Infantry were dispatched to protect the federal arsenal in St. Louis. As Lyon began his march, Kansans were enjoying their admission as the 34th State in the Union. Soldiers and civilians depicting this turbulent time period will people the fort all weekend. Demonstrations, debates, speeches, and arguments over politics will be some of the activities offered as you stroll the grounds. The Kansas Sampler Festival had a record attendance of 8,500 in May, 2010 and will return to Leavenworth just in time to celebrate the state’s Sesquicentennial! Join in the festivities on May 7-8, 2011 – Ray Miller Park, 4201 South 4th Street. Learn about all the wonderful things to see-and-do in Kansas. Many other events will be held throughout 2011 to help commemorate this milestone anniversary. Historical sites will be hosting special exhibits and educational themes based on Kansas’s 150th, including Lecompton State Historic Site, Grinter Place State Historic State Historic Site and the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site. Are you looking for a Kansas 150 event in your area? The KS150 website provides a calendar of events – search it often as it is updated daily. The Kansas State Historical Society, Inc., is pleased to present a number of 150thmemorabilia items throughout online Museum Store, kshs.org/store. Shop for t-shirts, key chains, coins and the Kansas 150 Official Kansas ornament that will decorate the Kansas Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to purchase one these keepsakes. William Allen White of the Emporia Gazette said, “When anything is going to happen in this country, it happens first in Kansas.” Celebrate Kansas’s Sesquicentennial and help push the state forward another 150 years.
Article By: Mary Madden Kansas Historical Society
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