The flowers are up and the mercury in the thermometer rises with each succeeding week. Here at the museum the number of visitors increases as our year moves into the peak season. We are in high hopes of an increased visitation through increased marketing to retirement communities in the region. The herb garden and flower gardens are beautiful, thanks to the efforts of the Master Gardeners and other volunteers. We are seeking to continue progress on the Everhard Photo Collection through the effort of our volunteer cataloguers. Herb Market was a success thanks to the support of the Herb Committee, volunteers, staff, board members and the community at large. Leavenworth is planning a major event for the dedication of the historical wayside markers and the museum is helping to recruit reenactors for that upcoming celebration. Please remember the museum when you have visitors. Bring them here to show off this county’s historic house museum.
The Annual Dinner occurred at the Leavenworth Country Club on March 16 and was attended by 96 members. There was a special recognition of the past Presidents of the Historical Society, each receiving an inscribed medallion. After a review of the activities of 1999, the Ella Carroll Volunteer Award was presented to Ginny Johnson and Margaret Harding for their long time support of the Museum. Sister Mary Lenore Martin, retiring Secretary of the Board was honored for her 18 years of service in that capacity with a “Key to the Carroll Mansion” as well as theater tickets to the New Theater. Donald Denney and Herb Mayfield received certificates of appreciation for their service on the Board. The featured program speaker was Dr. Loren Pennington, Professor Emeritus of History at Emporia State University, who reenacted Governor Alf Landon, through the Kansas Humanities Council. At the meeting the 2000 Board of Directors was presented to the membership. The 2000 Board Members are:
President
Beverly LaRocque
1st Vice-President
Pam Kontowicz
2nd
Vice-President Dennis Seeler
Secretary
Jane Gies
Treasurer
Wes Ludwig
Executive Member
Tony Baker
Executive Member
Sally Hatcher
Member at Large
Sue Gervasini
Member at Large
Jean Lenahan
Member at Large
Julie Anderson
Member at Large
Sue Peterson
Member at Large
Frank E. Carroll III
Member at Large
Gary Bradley
Member at Large
Robert Patzwald
On May 6, nearly 400 people came to the Sixth Annual Herb Market. In spite of a brief shower around 10:00, sales were brisk until the closing at noon. After expenses, the net profit for the event was $2,660.28. This represents an increase in profit of $357.72 more than 1999, or 15%. Many thanks to the staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, Master Gardeners and customers for their support. Special thanks go to the Herb Committee who work on this event all year. The Herb Committee members are: Ginny Johnson, Sue Gervasini, Jo Ann Hendricks, Winnie Lichtenwalter, Christel Ludwig, Sara Nieman, Jo Ann Siebenmorgen, Pam Westmoreland, Jane Gies, Barbara Katzenberger, and Sally Hatcher.
On March 25, Pam Kontowicz conducted a workshop for volunteers on cleaning, cataloguing and archival storage of glass plate negatives. The purpose of the training was to enable trained volunteers to begin processing Everhard negatives so that contact prints can be made. Then these prints may be exhibited at the museum and other cultural entities. The Historical Society has submitted a grant request outline to the Kansas Humanities Council. If awarded this grant will provide the funds to catalogue up to 4,000 of the Everhard negatives. Our volunteers have catalogued 600 negatives to date. If you would like to support this effort financially, your donations are in a separate account and are only drawn upon to pay for archival supplies, printing fees and activities related to this photo collection.
BOOK REVIEW by Wanda Holder
Union Pacific West from Leavenworth: a History of the Leavenworth, Kansas and Western Railway by I. E. Quastler.
Union Pacific West From Leavenworth is the second volume by
I. E. Quastler detailing the history of the railroad that served Northeast Kansas. It
continues the story begun in Kansas Central Narrow Gauge. Initially the
narrow gauge known as Kansas Central Railway, extended 166 miles west from Leavenworth to
Miltonvale. It became part of the Union Pacific Railroad system and converted to standard
gauge in 1890. This volume tells the story from the start of the standard gauge era to the
end of its operations in 1935.
Railroads brought people to Kansas, enticing them with offers of cheap land. They had
plenty to sell. The railroads controlled about one sixth of the state’s territory.
Freight traffic was better than in narrow gauge days with grain the leading
commodity. This was followed by coal, livestock, and lumber. Passenger service was
poor in the beginning but had markedly improved by 1898. The line experienced only one
train robbery--in 1903.
The book details the financial ups and downs, the problems caused by weather, accidents
caused by poor equipment, and the impact of the automobile on the railroad line. The
Depression, late in 1929, and greatly increased truck competition contributed to the
decline of the railroad. The last outbound train left Leavenworth’s Union Depot on
January 7, 1935. Union Pacific West From Leavenworth is meticulously researched and
lavishly illustrated. It is available in the Carroll Mansion Gift Shop.
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This coming June 10, the city of Leavenworth will dedicate nineteen wayside markers that contain images by local artists and narratives researched and written by members of the Leavenworth County Historical Society. When a visitor pushes the button on the side of the wayside marker, the spoken narrative will explain the historical significance of the site as well as the artwork on the marker. This is a feature normally only found at prominent National Park Service Parks and should be a great boon to Leavenworth tourism. The dedication will consist of speakers, river boat rides, fireworks after dark and costumed reenactors at many of the markers. We invite you to come to the Riverfront Community Center on June 10 between 10:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to join in the celebration.
May 20 marked the broadcast premiere of “Over Here”, the history of the World War II home front in the Kansas City region. Pam Reichart produced the program for Kansas City’s Public Television Station KCPT Channel 19. The one-hour documentary consisted of interviews, film clips and photographs. Two of our members, former Board President Marianna Spain and Board Member Joy Kozak figured prominently in the program with their Leavenworth reminiscences. Copies of the program are available through KCPT. Kudos to Joy and Marianna!
Last month the Museum was awarded a grant from Hallmark Cards, Inc. for $5,000. The purpose of this award was twofold. First, to pay for the initial printing and set up charges for a new four-color brochure that we will send to retirement communities and tourism entities in the region in order to increase visitation to the museum by bus tour groups. The second was to provide the funds to install new water lines and hydrants in three outside locations near the herb garden, rose gardens and the plantings in front of the building. This will prevent water from dripping on the restored porches from the ancient lines on the outside of the building. The Historical Society would like to thank the Contributions Committee of Hallmark for their continued support.
At the close of the Herb Market, the drawing was held for the quilt made and donated by the Sewing on the Line Guild last September, to whom the Historical Society extends many thanks. The lucky winners were past President Col. (Ret.) & Mrs. Stephen Kempf. Congratulations!
In response to public demand, the Historical Society is reviving the Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 30 from 2:00 to 6:00. We will offer music, children and adult games from the turn of the last century, and, of course, ice cream. Admission will be $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and $3.00 for children 5-12, no charge for children under five years of age. Admission includes a tour of the museum. Please bring the whole family to the museum grounds for a festive summer event.
LCHS WOULD LIKE TO THANK . . .
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The Historical Society would like to thank:
| FROM | FOR |
| Walter Kretchik & Pam Kontowicz | Cash Gift |
| Marieta Riese | Cash Gift |
| Vernon & Joanne Ochs | Cash Gift |
| Mary Ellen Hunt | Cash Gift |
| Allen Liebeno | Cash Gift |
| COL (R) James & Norrie Biel | Greeting Cards |
| Robin Frank | Cash Gift |
| Peter Christy | Cash Gift |
| From | For |
| COL (R) William & Elizabeth Dysinger | Kickapoo Logan |
| Reed Davis | Peggy Davis |
| Reed Davis | Sarah Anne Davis |
| Bro. Robert A. Holt | Reed Davis |
| Jess & Jo Ann Hendricks | Judge Arthur Stanley's 99th Birthday |
| Dixie R. Dickson | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Nicholas T. Dominguez | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Mr & Mrs Paul J. Johnson | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Catherine Ray | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Roland & Rosalie Hahn | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Betty Nakata | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Bro. Robert A. Holt | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Joe & Irene Solis | Helen Hall Gnip |
| Lois Binderim | Helen Hall Gnip |
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Mark Bureman, Museum Administrator
* Grey Ink, Designer
The Historical Society Gazette is published quarterly for members of the
Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum
Send comments/suggestions to:
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