Newsletter - Summer 2021

Note from the President

Summer is almost over, fall is near, school has resumed, and we are trying to move forward even through these difficult times. At present the museum will not be closing during this upsurge of new Covid cases. We will observe masking and social distancing. That being said please check out our future events on page 6. Most of these events will be outside to aid in being safe.

Now is a good time to thank our current volunteers, board members Elaine Rankin and Jody Lawrence, and their wonderful helpers, Deb Schwyhart, and Glenda Schmidt, for their work to make the garden look marvelous. (see picture below of Jody and Elaine, left and right, and Deb in the middle). Elaine said that they were invaluable for working in and planning the garden. Thanks also to the Gardenaires Club and especially to Lenore Keene for giving plants to the museum garden. We welcome new volunteers. There are plenty of opportunities to help that include office work, maintenance on our building, cleaning and writing grants. For anyone interested, please contact the museum at 620-221-4811.

We are also looking for financial help as the maintenance on our building is starting to add up. Our current needs are for a new roof, with estimates coming in at $60,000, and the need for a storage shed. Please consider us when doing your financial planning.

Another way to do gift giving is to make the museum part of your memorial giving as loved ones pass.

For those of you that have not visited the museum since we reopened, I hope that you will now and enjoy some of the new and/or additions to our exhibits. There are new looks that should reach more people. We have recently received a donation of some Laotian items. Watch for that display in the coming months. Although our focus is still on the 1870's as the founding of Cowley County began, we would like to add more to attract all citizens of Cowley County. We would love to hear feedback on how we are doing, so please contact us at any time by phone or email.

Janet Hostetter, board president

Photos From our Open House

It's that time of year again when we begin our annual membership drive! We are looking forward once again to the SC Lady Builder Basketball team's help with preparing our mailing. Our membership drive will begin September 21. Watch for your membership renewal packets to arrive sometime that week. Our membership year begins October 1 of each year. We have so many exciting events and programs planned for the next year and we want to share them all with you! We hope you will choose to become a member again and share the information with your friends. Additional membership cards are available on our website.

On Sunday, August 15, Kent Melcher presented an interesting program, "Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War." He told the story of the G.A.R. in Cowley County and its successor organization, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He also talked about the recent formation of the new SUVCW Camp and it's namesake Medal of Honor Recipient, Private John N. Eckes. Eckes received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Siege of Vicksburg was included in his presentation.

Kent Melcher

For those interested in learning more about GAR, we have lots of information in our archive section.

Mark your calendar now for our annual Fall Gathering, Sunday, October 10, 2:00. Jeff Davidson, a singer/songwriter, historian, and recording artist, will lead us along the Santa Fe Trail with his original works as well as well as vintage songs of old. We will celebrate the 200th birthday of the Santa Fe Trail and remember how it shaped the economy, ideology, and heroism of a young nation.

Jeff is an accomplished western music performer and brings in an historical and educational component to his presentations. Jeff entertained for the the Flint Hills Overland Wagon Train for 25 years. In 2013 he was the winner of the Kansas Cowboy Poetry contest and is past president of the Kansas Chapter of Western Music Association. Bring a lawn char and be prepared to enjoy your afternoon on the south lawn of the museum, 1011 Mansfield, Winfield.

Research Volunteer Report - Part 2

Bill & Lou Tharp

First of all, it was a great honor to have the Research Library named for us. The past year and half were challenging as we use the microfilm machine at the library a lot when searching for older obituaries and information about family events. We appreciate the assistance of Nancy, Gary, Janet, and Becky.

A large number of requests are from Winfield residents asking for information on Winfield buildings, homes, and families. We always try to provide a historical timeline on the business or the home. Requests from Kansas residents were received from Derby, Wellington, Arkansas City, Burden, Atlanta, Newton, Howard, Olathe, Topeka, Kansas City, Overland Park, Randolph, Andover, Emporia, and Wichita. Requests come from email, phone calls, and/or Facebook. Out of state requests came from Arizona, California, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Oregon, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Maryland, Idaho, Minnesota, and Missouri. International requests came from Scotland, Saudi, Arabia, and Poland.

Listed below are samples of some of the topics we have researched during the museum's closed time.

• 3/4's of our searches are for family information and/or obituaries
• history of a windmill company in Arkansas City
• the oil fields in Cowley and Sumner Counties
• the Collins Car Dealership
• asking for post cards of Winfield
• history of Pomona Tile Company
• history of Peabody, Gordon, & Piatt Company
• a gun which belongs to the museum
• history of Cherry Street Park
• history of Burden Hotel (newly purchased)
• 1976 campaign button
• GAR organization
• prepared historical history timelines on: Island Park Garage, Skating Rink, Millington Street Baptist Church, the building being remodeled at 1003-05 South Main, Liermann building, Island Park Green House, and Mettling Chiropractic Office. A home in Island Park, 1402 East 19th - Snyder Home, all the homes that Helen Graham family lived in, homes at 621 East 10th and 1701 Ames.
• the consolidation of 8 rural schools into County View School
• in addition, we were able to help a student from a Wichita Middle School who needed to interview a witness to the Titan II missile site disaster.

We hope you will come by and use our new research library. We are always ready and available to help if needed.

Books:

Celebrate Winfield History Books 2001-2011 (SALE) $8.00
Celebrate Winfield History Books 2012, 2015 $15.00
Celebrate Cowley County History 2016-current $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 $4.00

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 us at: cchsm@kans.com

Commemorative Bricks

There are commemorative bricks for sale which make great memorials and 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 contact Board member Elaine Rankin at the museum.

The following are the levels of donations. Flat red bricks with 2 lines of 12 characters each for a $75 donation. Flat red bricks with 3 lines of 12 characters each for $100 donation. A contrasting brick with 12 characters each for a $500 donation. Fewer letters may be used if you wish.

AmazonSmile (www.smile.amazon.com) is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to our favorite charitable organization. Just choose the Cowley Count Historical Society Museum to support.

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 currently in need of boys' toys and anything from diverse ethnic groups. We are seeking to add a woman's coat from the 1960's to complete a fashion display.

Future Events

Events may change depending on Covid-19 and the weather. Watch for any changes on our website.

2021

Sept. 12-"History on the Grounds" FUN FOR ALL AGES! Enjoy tales from early Cowley County, hands-on demonstrations, games, & concessions as you step back in time to the early 1900's. Free admission, donations appreciated! 1-4:30 p.m.

Oct. 10-"Santa Fe Trail" let Jeff Davidson, singer/songwriter/historian, lead you down the Santa Fe Trail with poetry & song as we celebrate the 200th birthday of this historic trail. Bring a lawn chair & enjoy the afternoon on the south lawn of the museum. 2 p.m.

Oct. 18-Museum Friends 4:30 p.m. at the museum

Nov. 15-Museum Friends "History Feud" 4:30 p.m. at the museum

The Cowley County Historical Society dates from 1931 with major reorganization and a move to our present location in 1967. The CCHS'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 and local history. The Society also has a fine collection of historical records and vintage photographs.

Sharing the Past with the Future