African American men have been volunteering to serve in the United States military from as far back as when they were facing slavery and oppression during the time of the Revolutionary War. With the promise of freedom in return for their service, thousands of men would join with hopes of a better life.
Kansas’ 161st birthday is on Saturday, Jan. 29 this year. Statehood was a long and difficult road for Kansas, but it was an important task to help saving the freedom of many.
The Geary County Historical Museum is down to one full-time staff member in the form of Heather Hagedorn, but hands-on history — a monthly lesson for area homeschool students — still went on.
This article contains more information taken from John Jeffries’ Master’s Thesis titled An Early History Of Junction City, Kansas: The First Generation. This is some of what John wrote.
Junction City resident lived through Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence
Fegan’s long business history
This article contains more information taken from John Jeffries’ Master’s Thesis titled An Early History Of Junction City, Kansas: The First Generation. John was the President of the Geary County Historical Society from 1972-80 when the Museum was located at the Durland Furniture building on…
The 1855 cholera epidemic
In his Master’s Thesis titled An Early History Of Junction City, Kansas: The First Generation, John Jeffries included information about establishing a business in early Junction City. This is some of what he wrote: “The great majority of men who came to Junction City, like other communities …
Willie ‘Rockne’ Tarkington, Jr.
On May 2, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt arrived by train at the Junction City UP train depot where he was met by an enormous crowd. Local photographer Louis Volkmann captured this photograph.
Blacks and mixed-race couples came to Kansas in the 1800s
Bartell House served as home to women Part 1
“The County’s First Farm Fair Was In 1875” Part 1
This will be my last article as Executive Director of Geary County Historical Society. It was a privilege to learn so much about local history and to work with so many wonderful people with roots in Geary County. I was honored to be able to contribute more research and knowledge on a variety…
In addition to the museum at 6th and Adams, Geary County Historical Society also owns the house next door, called Starcke House, once home to Eunice and Walter Starcke. While Walter ran a jewelry store downtown for many years, he was also responsible for the care of the city’s clock in the O…
Some more early buildings in the downtown business district
Memories at the Museum is an oral history program started in January 2017 with a group of local residents who gathered to remember World War II. Memories at the Museum was suspended due to the pandemic, but it is sure to return soon. In the meantime, the memories shared at that first program…
More Early Junction City Business History Part 1
In 1994, museum staff received a letter from Patsy Stevens Gfeller, recalling her childhood in Junction City surrounded by four generations of relatives. Patsy was born in 1924 and lived at 635 W. 9th St. with her father, a “shade tree mechanic”; her mother; and her sister Elaine, who was el…
A trip to downtown Junction City in early 20th century Part 1
The museum’s Water/Ways exhibit got an unplanned extension thanks to the events of the last year, which means it is still on display — at least for now. Stop by the museum at 530 N. Adams between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday to learn more about the history of Geary County’s rivers a…
Use of early phone directories offers clues to local history
The Geary County Historical Society has selected Thomas Kroemer to lead the organization as their new Executive Director. Thomas is currently living in Delafield, Wisconsin and will move to Junction City in early to mid-July.
The first leader of the
Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating and celebrating the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect in northern states in 1863, but in the South, enslaved people were forced to wait or find another route to freedom until the Confederate States …
Julia Snyder looked for new opportunities in Kansas – Part 2
When Geary County was founded in 1855, it was known as Davis County, named after Jefferson Davis. Davis was then Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, who enforced the Fugitive Slave Act and helped Stephen Douglas draft the Kansas-Nebraska act. Davis himself enslaved more than 10…
Junction City’s good fortune
Catch a glimpse of history Saturday, June 5, at the Kansas Aviation Expo at Junction City’s Freeman Field, where antique, modern, and experimental aircraft will be on display all day starting at 7 a.m. Geary County Historical Society will serve lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including popcorn…
Some history about Junction City High School graduations
On Saturday, June 5, the Kansas Aviation Expo will showcase multiple eras of aircraft, from the time of “barnstorming” to modern and experimental aircraft, at Junction City’s Freeman Field.
Katie Goerl, Executive Director of the Geary County Historical Society will be pursuing other opportunities effective July 30. Katie has been the Executive Director since 2016. The intent of the GCHS Board of Directors is to fill the position as soon as possible with a person who has at leas…
TOPEKA –The Kansas Historical Society announced reopening plans for the Kansas State Capitol and the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka effective in June.
Stephen and Anna White’s early days in the territory Part 2
Geary County Historical Society has two events planned in the coming weeks: an open house at St. Joseph’s Historic Church on Saturday, May 22, and a fundraiser at the Kansas Aviation Expo on Saturday, June 5.
There was a problem when time stood still
St. Joseph’s Historic Church will be open to the public for the first time in over a year on Saturday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located in eastern Geary County, the native limestone church is a local landmark in the McDowell Creek neighborhood. Stop by between 10 and 1 to explore the b…
The Spring Valley Historic Site opened to visitors for the first time in two years Wednesday afternoon.
Some history of US 40
Due to inclement weather last month, the Spring Valley Historic Site Open House will be held Wednesday, May 5.
Note: On Wednesday, May 5, Geary County Historical Society will hold an open house and Hands On History programs at the Spring Valley Historic Site, located at the juncture of K-18 and Spring Valley Road. Hands On History programs will be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and an open house will be …
Visit our historic downtown on May 1 or any other day
It has been 109 years since the sinking of the Titanic, and stories of the night’s tragic events still rivet Americans today. Nine years ago, for the Titanic’s centennial, former GCHS director Gaylynn Childs shared the story of a survivor who later settled in the Flint Hills. Part 1 follows:
The omnibus line in Junction City
Spring is here, which means thunderstorms are just around the corner. This is the time of year, historically, when the risk of flooding begins to rise. Prior to the construction of Milford Dam, flooding was a serious danger in Junction City, as folks were forcefully reminded in the summer of 1951.
MANHATTAN — The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University has put two and two together to offer a virtual exhibition for kids and animal lovers of all ages.
Quilt made locally to be in a State display
The Geary County Historical Society would like to invite you to attend our open house at Spring Valley Historic Site next Wednesday, April 7, at the southeast corner of the intersection of K-18 and Spring Valley Road.
FDR was a guest at Fort Riley in 1943
The museum’s first in-person event in over a year will be held Wednesday, April 7, when the Spring Valley Historic Site will be open to the public. Spring Valley Historic Site is located at the junction of K-18 and Spring Valley Road.
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