What Kansans Say about KHC

COLLYER – Collyer Community Alliance
The stories were priceless; we learned more about the community from both research and interviews. There was initial clashing between early settlers as they each moved into their own groups. I think one of the things that calmed it was the community participation. There was always entertainment in town, first supplied by the Women’s Relief Corps of the G.A.R... Western KS was “no man’s land,” yet life was so difficult for these immigrant families in their previous homes that they were grateful for a chance to build a life and become part of a “free” nation.

FORT SCOTT – Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity
The ideas of this project developed out of curiosity of Black history and a haunting memory of former places I knew as a child that no longer exist. To think that these places could be simply bulldozed or plowed over disturbed me. I resolved there had to be some type of written record…What eclipsed the totality of the project was being able to locate the Mayhew Cemetery and to secure a microfilm from the Library of Congress about the African-American newspaper, The Colored Citizen from April 19, 1878 to December 27, 1879. Our project included research, interviews, and surveys. Our findings were many and included records of people, families, and their migration to Kansas…. Thank you for opening this door for us…

GLASCO – Solomon Valley-Highway 24-Heritage Alliance
It is indeed an honor to be entrusted by the KHC to attempt this research project. [Placing the Stretch of Highway 24 That Passes Through the Solomon Valley in Historical Context]

HILL CITY – Graham County Historical Society
With this KHC grant opportunity, we can promote and preserve our local history through the personal stories of early settlers to Graham County. Their stories will be told by "Living Historians," in appropriate period dress, through a three to seven minute presentation.

HORTON – Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas
This project is a starting point for telling the story of the Kickapoo, but by no means a complete history of our Tribe. The Cultural Committee will continue…

IOLA – Bowlus Fine Arts Center
Without this [KHC] assistance the Keaton Celebration would not be possible. It is an international event which last year brought over 600 people from 54 Kansas communities, 16 states and 3 foreign countries . . . If these funds were not made available, the multiple economic benefits, educational opportunities and enjoyment povided would otherwise not exist.

LAWRENCE – Second Century Fund
One of the male interviewees noted how gender had influenced his opportunities as a teenagers in Lawrence since he had been an excellent athlete. He said that if you were an African American and a good athlete, boys in his age range could play important roles on sports teams (though they couldn’t go with other teen members to various local eating establishments after the games). But, he also remarked how his sisters and other African American female teenagers had “nothing.”

LUCAS – Grassroots Art Center
It is important to begin the center's implement of professional collections management practices in our museum and this project will serve as a solid foundation for achieving some controls over the collection. Thank you for your continued support of the Kansas Humanities Council and their programming.

MORLAND – Morland Community Foundation
It is an honor to be entrusted by the KHC to attempt this research project. On behalf of the Morland Community Foundation, Inc., I would like to express appreciation for your continued support of the Kansas Humanities Council. [Three Symposiums to Awaken the Spirit of the Solomon Valley]

NICODEMUS – Nicodemus Historical Society
It is through the efforts made possible by KHC grants that historical organizations like us can continue to reseasrch, collect, and share our rich history here in Kansas.

SHAWNEE – Shawnee Town
Shawnee was predominantly settled by first and second generation Belgians and Germans. In most cases, they were truck farmers, providing vegetables and fruit for the Kansas City Farmers Market…The rich cache of customs and traditions we anticipated were there, such as ethnic foods (Belgian Tatje Pap – potato and buttermilk soup), customs (Boomalala at weddings), games (Rolle Bolle), and the languages themselves, but not in the profusion we thought. In the early twentieth century, Shawnee’s newest citizens were interested in assimilation, not in maintaining their diversity.

TOPEKA – Marjorye Savage Heeney, Friends of the Humanities
Thank you for KHC's efforts to promote reading to children. It's just wonderful that KHC is encouraging families to read together. This is a fantastic new direction for the Council. Congratulations!

TOPEKA – Railroad Heritage, Inc.
The biggest success was in attracting many people from Topeka’s Mexican community to come and to return bringing others. They greatly enjoyed the exhibit, seeing their history recognized and validated. They particularly like the photos that showed their ancestors at work on the railroads and at play in the community. It was wonderful to hear them talking about their memories and families and laughing aloud with pleasure from the exhibit.

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