In the News
Black History, Your History: True American success stories - "At a time when slaves were considered property, it was rare that a slave could free himself, let alone become rich. KCTV5's Heather Staggers shares the story of two slaves who did just that and they lived in Independence, MO." KCTV5 (video), Feb 21, 2012
Black History, Your History: The Whitley Sisters - "Few people get to live for nearly a century and be part of a community's historic fight for change. Heather Staggers met with three such remarkable women right here in Kansas City." KCTV5 (video), Feb. 20, 2012
"It was mostly destroyed by a fire in an 1862 battle. Now a society wants to retell the story of the Cave family. One hundred and fifty years ago, the house was a portion of the now infamous Cave Hotel, where a gruesome battle caused the village streets to run red with blood." Lone Jack museum preserves a part of Civil War history through hotel, by Lee Hill Kavanaugh, The Kansas City Star, Feb. 12, 2012
"The Shawnee County Historical Society will interject some drama into history as it continues Sunday afternoon its Shared Stories of the Civil War Reader’s Theater Project at the historic Ritchie House." Project splices dramatic prose with history, by Bill Blankenship, cjonline.com, Feb. 10, 2012
"Like a blast from the past, Kansas history was brought to life as citizens of the Topeka community gathered at the Ritchie House's Cox Communication Heritage Education Center for the first of the 'Shared Stories of the Civil War' performances that will continue on through the month of February." History comes alive in a 'Hipp' way, by Tanner Ballengee, Washburn Review, Feb. 8-9, 2012
"Women's History Month in March provides a special opportunity for interpreters to teach about 'women's tenacity, courage, and creativity throughout the centuries." Interpreting Women in History by Molly Postlewait - Park Naturalist, Ernie Miller Nature Center, Legacy, National Association for Interpretation magazine, January/February 2012
"Gary Jenkins has produced a documentary (Negroes to Hire) examining slavery in Northwest Missouri. KMBC's Donna Pittman has the story." (YouTube) Aug. 19, 2010
"The House on Wednesday saluted the Buffalo Soldiers who once rode through the San Joaquin Valley of California and protected Sierra Nevada public lands. Despite some Republican resistance, the House approved legislation to study establishing a new national historic trail that could range from Los Banos and Madera to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks. The trail would commemorate the African-American cavalrymen who made the dusty trek around the start of the 20th century." House approves bill to study Buffalo Soldiers national park, by Michael Doyle, miamiherald.com (McClatchy Newspapers), Jan. 25, 2012
"If U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fower, and Don Short, Waterloo, Iowa, met in a cafe, they could talk about their backgrounds as farmers. They also could chat about John Deere tractors. That might lead to the topic of National Heritage Areas. Here's where the coffee would cool." National Heritage Areas still in rep's sights: Huelskamp's bill to cut federal cash from program is in committee, by Mary Clarkin, The Hutchinson News, Jan. 23, 2012
"Family members of James Lane have donated a portrait of the controversial Kansas abolitionist commissioned in 1890 by a Topeka newspaper editor to the Lane University and Territorial Capital Museum in Lecompton." Museum gets historic portrait of abolitionist, by Jan Biles,The Topeka Capital-Journal cjonline.com, Jan. 23, 2012
"The Kansas Museum of History is planning a full day of activities Jan. 27 to mark the 151st anniversary of the state's admission to the union. The state's birthday is actually two days after the events, Jan. 29, a Sunday. Kansas became a state in 1861, on the eve of the nation's Civil War." Museum plans activities to honor Kansas statehood, AP story covered by LJWorld.com and KansasCity.com Jan. 20, 2012 and cjonline.com Jan. 26, 2012
"Watchdog fan Maggie Finefrock wonders about a marker near the picnic area off Red Bridge Road in Minor Park. The marker recalls the forcible roundup in 1838 of more than 850 Potawatomi Indian people, who were marched that autumn from Indiana to a reservation near present-day Osawatomie, Kan." The Watchdog | Minor Park marker recalls tragic trek of Potawatomi people, The Kansas City Star, Jan. 9, 2012
"Just like the settlers who traveled along trails toward westward expansion, John Mark Lambertson has his eyes set on several new sites. Lambertson, 55, recently retired as the longtime director of the 21-year-old National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence. He is moving to Colorado, but after nearly 19 years in the directorship, Lambertson isn’t necessarily slowing down." Trails Museum director retires: Lambertson led museum’s expansion, by Adrianne DeWeese, Examiner.net (The Examiner), Jan. 02, 2012
Not long ago, the Black Archives was locked up and closed in an old firehouse. Now new director Doretha Williams will help bring the collection back to life in its permanent home in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The archives’ one-of-a-kind collection, which tells the story of the region’s African-American community, had been considered at risk of deteriorating. But now the photographs, papers and artifacts are stored safely in renovated quarters, a former Kansas City Parks and Recreation maintenance building. After years of uncertainty, Black Archives has found its way, by Brian Burnes, The Kansas City Star, Jan. 2, 2012
"In the elves’ most elaborate gift ever, young patient is whisked to a Civil War encampment to deliver a toy for Santa...The mission, he (Santa) admitted, was slightly dangerous, what with the war and all. But he knew that Tommy loved history, especially the Civil War." For boy, Christmas elves make a present of the past, by Lee Hill Kavanaugh, The Kansas City Star, Dec. 25, 2011
"The leader of Lawrence’s tourism efforts announced that she’ll be retiring in early 2012. Judy Billings will step down in mid-February as president and CEO of the not-for-profit Destination Management Inc., which oversees the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area." Tourism leader to retire early next year: Judy Billings helped ‘put Lawrence on the map’, by Chad Lawhorn, LJWorld.com, Dec. 9, 2011
"The stories, the history and the importance of the Border War between Kansas and Missouri can be learned at the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area Exhibit in Lawrence, Kansas. The exhibit opened in July 2011 in the Carnegie Building located on Ninth and Vermont streets." The Freedom' Frontier Exhibit, by Emily McCartney, JOUR 301 - Research and Writing, A collection of journalism student work, Dec. 7, 2011
"The last time Constitution Hall had new limestone walls was 156 years ago when it was the first stone building constructed in Topeka. On a sunny afternoon this past week, masons James Creech and Gumaro Martinez hosed down the restored limestone walls on the west side of Constitution Hall." Constitution Hall re-emerging on S. Kansas Avenue, by Steve Fry, The Capital-Journal, Dec. 3, 2011
"Kansas in the next 150 years will rely less on agriculture as the backbone fueling its economy and more on the ingenuity and resilience of its urban residents to thrive...Still, Kansas will survive, said experts and officials who were asked about what our state – celebrating its 150th birthday in 2011 – will look like 150 years from now. Not only will the state survive, they say, it might even become kind of hip." Bigger cities, fewer towns – Kansas in the next 150 years, by Beccy Tanner, The Wichita Eagle, Nov. 20, 2011
"Sarah Rosetta Wakeman was the first of nine children. At age 19 Sarah left home looking for work. She quickly learned that by disguising herself a man, she could make more money. She was soon hired as a boatman on a coal barge. Army recruiters assumed she was a man and asked her to enlist. Contamination and infection were not understood at that time. (Civil War) Soldiers were stricken and died by the thousands. Sarah was among those afflicted." Never Too Late To Honor Women Vets, by Bill Lilienthal, Mesquite Citizen Journal, Nov. 17, 2011
"History buffs will be predisposed to appreciate "Resurrection 150" One-Act At Missouri History Museum, based on the true story of Rufus Vance, a freed slave who joined the Union Army and fought in the Battle of Island Mound near Kansas City." by Katherine Comfort-Mason, WestEndWord.com, Nov. 16, 2011
Film student Lou Schumaker opines: "Despite the fact that the Civil War ended almost 150 years ago, it is still being fought in movie theaters and TVs across the nation — and this time, the U.S. is losing. Though the Union won the war, the Confederates won the story....documentarian and Civil War expert Ken Burns said 'history is written usually by the victors, and it’s the first time where history was written by the losers.'" Schumaker: Cinema glorifies Confederacy, (University Daily) Kansan.com, Nov. 15, 2011
Almost 150 years after his death, thieves have stolen part of Lincoln's tomb. The Associated Press reports that state officials found a 3-foot copper sword is missing from one of the Civil War statues at his gravesite in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery. Copper Kleptos Hit Lincoln's Tomb, by Josh Mogerman, Chicagoist.com, Nov. 12, 2011
Book covers Civil War in Baptists' own words - "People debate what caused the Civil War, but Baptists of the era from both North and South agreed it was fought over slavery, says Bruce Gourley, author of Diverging Loyalties: Baptists in Middle Georgia during the Civil War." Article by Bob Allen, Associated Baptist Press, Nov. 8, 2011
National Parks go fee-free for Veterans Day weekend - "In honor of Veterans Day, the National Park Service has declared a fee-free weekend. Starting tomorrow, and running through Sunday, all entry fees into America's national parks will be waived." by Kraig Becker (RSS feed), Gadling, a blog from AOL Travel, Nov. 10, 2011
Oklahoma's largest Civil War battlefield may become National Park - "The Honey Springs Battlefield Park in Oklahoma may become a new addition to the National Park Service," the Tulsa World reports. The Battle of Honey Springs was the largest in Oklahoma (then Indian Territory). White soldiers were a minority on both sides. by Sean McLachlan (RSS feed), Gadling, a blog from AOL Travel, Nov. 7, 2011
The Civil War 150 Years: The Washington Eight - Take a look at "the eight cotton hoods worn by Confederate conspirators after Lincoln's assassination. As part of the ongoing 150th anniversary of the Civil War at the Smithsonian Institution, the Around the Mall team will be reporting in a series of posts on some of the illustrative artifacts held by the museums from that epic battle." Smithsonian.com, Around the Mall Blog, Oct. 4, 2011
"For Lane and others, the fight between North and South was an opportunity to gain 'revenge' for 'old scores from the early Kansas troubles.'” Disunion: "James Lane’s Revenge," article by Nicole Etcheson, The New York Times, Oct. 26, 2011
Director Joe Hursey hopes Miami County Historical Museum's stint as the No. 1 spot to visit on Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area Web site drives traffic to the museum. Web site places museum in top spot, by Annie Vangsnes, Miami County Republic, Oct. 27, 2011
150 years ago, a primitive Internet united the USA - "Long before there was an Internet or an iPad, before people were social networking and instant messaging, Americans had already gotten wired." (AP), CBSNews.com, Oct. 23, 2011
Fort Scott National Historic Site will present "Pledging Allegiance," a Shared Stories of the Civil War reader's theater script. Shared Stories is a partnership between Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area and the Kansas Humanities Council. Shared Stories of the Civil War on tap at historic site, by Jason E. Silvers, The Fort Scott Tribune, Oct. 21, 2011
The Pony Express ended 150 years ago as the telegraph to California was completed and the Civil War raged in St. Joseph. Patee House Museum events mark Pony Express demise. St. Joseph NewsPressNow.com, Oct. 16, 2011
BU professor: Civil War death toll higher than previously estimated: "A history professor has come up with an estimate 130,000 deaths higher than the traditional 620,000. "The death toll is the most important measure of the war's social, economic and demographic impact." by Debbie Swartz, stargazette.com, Oct. 11, 2011
Interesting other coverage on this story:
Civil War was even bloodier than thought, by Lee Bowman, The Korea Times, Nov. 10, 2011
Civil War abolitionist John Brown, as portrayed by Kerry Altenbernd, will make an appearance in Nevada, MO. John Brown re-enactor to visit Nevada," Nevada Daily Mail, Oct. 6, 2011
The Civil War’s impact on the historical legacy of African Americans will be examined by a panel of scholars and historians at Kansas City Kansas Community College. KCKCC to host Civil War panel, by Alan Hoskins, Kansas City Kansan, Oct. 5, 2011
Applications for a new grant in Douglas County (KS) had to qualify under one or more of five categories: historic structures, natural areas, agriculture/farming, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, and pre-settlement history." Conservation grant applications span ‘large and small, rural and urban’, by Mark Fagan, LJWorld.com, Oct. 3, 2011
Johnson County (KS) Library activities in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, including book discussions, community issues forums, author visits and other programs, examine how historical events shaped our community. GardnerEdge.com, Sept. 26, 2011
"Quantrill’s raid on the abolitionist stronghold of Lawrence, Kan., is generally seen as the immediate provocation for Order No. 11. Lawrence was only the latest in a long line of cities and villages reduced to smoke and ashes." Civil War: Order No. 11 reduced border to a wasteland, by Andy Ostmeyer, news@joplinglobe.com, Sept. 24, 2011
Plenty of Civil War history to explore in your backyard - "Battles will be re-enacted, books will come out, and everyone is having several opportunities to revisit history and learn how the war divided Missouri in an especially bitter and complicated way." Reporter Jeff Fox, The Examiner, Sept. 17, 2011
The dark side of the Jayhawks' nickname - "Apparently, not everyone finds the Jayhawk mascot or nickname quite so harmless. Osceola, MO, passed a resolution condemning a 'celebration of this murderous gang of terrorists by an institution of ‘higher education’.'" ESPN college basketball blogger Eamonn Brennan, Sept. 16, 2011
Says Kansas: Rock, chalk, take a walk, Las Vegas Review Journal, Sept. 18
Missouri Town Calls for End of U. of Kansas’ Jayhawk Mascot,The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sept. 16
Missouri Town Demands Kansas Lose Jayhawks Nickname, Stop Existing, by Jason Kirk, SB (Scoreboard) Nation, Sept. 16
Missouri town wants Kansas to ditch Jayhawks, CBSSports.com blogger Tom Fornelli, Sept. 16
Town seeks end of ‘Jayhawk’ name - Osceola: ‘Terrorists’ shouldn’t be lauded, by Rudi Keller, Columbia Daily Tribune (with link to a pdf download of the resolution), Sept. 15
Despite a battle that raged just a cannon shot away from the courthouse square, the Civil War spared this riverside town. "Lexington looks back 150 years" by Lee Hill Kavanaugh,The Kansas City Star, Sept. 16, 2011
The New York Times Disunion Series follows the Civil War as it unfolds. Jeremy Neely's article, Exploding Kansas, depicts what happened along the Missouri-Kansas border. Sept. 12, 2011
The Daily Star-Journal in Warrensburg, Missouri, recently featured the Freedom's Frontier maps and the Johnson County Historical Society in an article on Sept. 6, 2011. (No link available without a subscription.)
Civil War One Fifty, a five-part series commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the Missouri-Kansas border region's unique place in the bloody four-year conflict. The Kansas City Star, April 13-Aug. 27, 2011.
The Washington Post is providing ongoing special coverage of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War through a Civil War 150 section.
Access 1861-1865 issues of Harper's Weekly, a popular newspaper which featured illustrations and in depth stories on important people and events of the war.
Revising the Civil War Record (about the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry), by Kenneth J. Cooper in the online news source, The Root, Feb. 4, 2010
