2023 Spring Newsletter

Museum “Happenings” 2023 got started the year with an active and produc tive January Board meeting. New open days beginning February 1st (Wednes day-Friday 10:00–4:00 and Saturday 10:00–2:00) and solidifying commitment to double building size through renovation of the second floor and eleva tor installation, were just two of the many ambitious items approved at the January Miami County Histori cal Museum Board meeting. To lead these and other pioneering efforts the fol lowing were unanimously elected to two year officer positions: Jana Barcus, President (Paola Twp), and Ann Benton, Secretary (Sugar Creek Twp). Also unan imously elected to two year board positions were: Donna Darner (Mound Twp); Lloyd Peckman (Valley Twp); Ann Davis (Osage Twp); Shelia Tappan (Middle Creek Twp); and Gordon Geldhof (Ten Mile Twp). Below is a synopsis of the many activities undertaken since January and their current status: Monthly Events: Speakers: Gordon Geldhof is leading our effort to secure month ly speakers on various topics of interest and scored a home run on our first speaker, February’s Phil Dixon, who spoke on the “KC Monarchs in Your Home Town”, provided by Humanities Kansas (via National Endow ment of the Arts) “free of charge”. Mayor Leigh House and the many attendees unanimously provided A+ rat ings for the event! March’s and April’s events featured other Humanities Kansas Speakers: Sarah Bell spoke in March on “Women’s Suffrage in Kansas” and Marla Day spoke in April on Nell Donnelly, a Kansas native who built the world’s largest women’s clothing factory and was a fashion icon of the 20th Century. Elsie and Nina brought up mannequins to display some clothing collection items for Marla’s presentation. Our May speaker, also sponsored by Humanities Kansas, Will Haynes, will speak on “The Civil War in Kansas” at 1:00 on May 27th. Our June speaker, Warren Martin, will focus on “Kansas Oil and Gas Production” Traveling Exhibits: Freedom’s Frontier has provided us two exhibits. “Women’s Suffrage” and “Foods” with “ Civil War Money” coming soon. Continued on page 10 by Ann Benton

QUERIES Sam Sagastume was trying to locate the burial of Lulu Viola Mills or Lizzie Mills. Lara Justeson wanted info on the Vickers Schoo.l Bryan Matheson Es looking for an obits for several members of the Chrislers. Ann Duarte wants info on the Santa Fe Trail. Todd Bohnenkamp is interested in locating the farm his family owned in the 1918- 1921 years and info on Eli Billman who lived here at about the same time. Stacie Gonzalez is wanted to come and learn about the Patterson Circus. Roger Hatfield wanted a digital history of the South School in 1950. Ruth Adams Hopes for info on the Peters Family. Mary Tinker wants birth record for Andrew Tinker born here 26 May 1876 Daniel Hunt wants info on Caleb and Ann Sherar and Asail and Mary Jane Hunt. Marc Trueb would like info on the Tracy Family. Sydney Gabel needs info on Mary Stewart who was in the State Hospital Beth Cody hopes to find a picture of the grotto at Ur suline Academy. Jan Grout wants pictures of Paul Mabes Market and Adolph Wishrop Grocery. Marci Schuler wan ts to visit and see any artifacts from the McGrath family. Rita Wallace was looking for records for the Mayes and Wright familes. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Front Desk (1/2 or full day), computer input, arrang ing displays, moving help, grant writers, interviewers, history researchers

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