Category: Events

Presentation, exhibits explore Women’s Suffrage in Kansas and Franklin County

Diana Staresinic-Deane

The Franklin County Historical Society will host a presentation and outdoor and indoor exhibits to commemorate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. On August 18, 7 p.m., FCHS will host “The Long Road to Women’s Suffrage in Kansas,” a presentation and discussion by Diane Eickhoff.  The free program will be offered via Facebook Live at facebook.com/olddepotmuseum. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas. Kansas was historically a leader in women’s rights, yet the campaign for voting rights in Kansas…

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Now through December: New museum exhibit explores history of hotels in Franklin County

Diana Staresinic-Deane

The Old Depot Museum’s newest exhibit explores the first century of Franklin County’s Hotels and how they reflect the needs of the towns they served. “Rooms For Rent” includes photographs and artifacts from twenty Franklin County hotels, including hotels that once served Richmond, Williamsburg, Rantoul, Lane, Wellsville, Princeton, and Ottawa. When new towns were established on the prairie, hotels were among the first structures built, said Diana Staresinic-Deane, FCHS Executive Director. Those early hotels served as accommodations for travelers and residents building businesses and homes, community dining halls, meeting rooms,…

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Phased Reopening Begins June 17!

Diana Staresinic-Deane

August 9, 2020: Our hours and availability have updated! Please click here for the latest information. Beginning June 17, the Old Depot Museum and the Franklin County Records & Research Center will phase into reopening with appointments during limited hours. Museums and archives face special challenges during a pandemic because artifacts and archives cannot be sanitized without risking permanent harm to the object. Limiting exposure and allowing time for viruses and bacteria to die off naturally is an important line of defense in keeping staff, volunteers, visitors, and artifacts safe.…

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May 1: Trivia Night (Facebook Live!)

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Trivia Night – Franklin County Edition (Via Facebook Live!) Friday, May 1, 7 p.m. We’re bringing a Franklin County edition of Trivia Night to you via Facebook Live! Play alone or build a team. Cheating to find answers is encouraged. Ask Google. Ask Jeeves. Ask your mom. Just be honest about your score! Questions will be family friendly and the most fun for ages 12 and up. Can’t join us that night but still want to play? The video will post to facebook shortly after the event is over. You…

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CANCELED: April 22: Unboxing History (Facebook Live Event)

Diana Staresinic-Deane

CANCELED: Unboxing History Series (Online!) Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m. Franklin County Records & Research Center We’re going to do this program via Facebook Live! Follow us on Facebook for details. The Franklin County Historical Society is home to more than 67,000 artifacts, including textiles, photographs, archives, and other objects. You’re invited to explore the hidden world of the FCHS collection–one box at a time! During each program in our new Unboxing History series, Collections Manager Gloria Kruse and Archives and Research Specialist Ashley Brannan will select one box of…

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CANCELED: April 25: Adrian Zink presents Wicked Kansas

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Wicked Kansas presented by Adrian Zink Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. NCCC, 900 E Logan, Ottawa, KS Free Event; Books for Sale   Following the restrictions set by state and county health officials, the Franklin County Historical Society has canceled all in-person events through the month of April. We hope to reschedule this event when it is safe to do so. Adrian Zink is back! The Hidden History of Kansas author will talk about his new book, Wicked Kansas, which explores the seedier side of the Sunflower State–murders, cons, extrajudicial killings…

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CANCELED April 7: Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills presented by Rex Buchanan Tuesday, April 7, 7 p.m. Neosho County Community College Ottawa Campus, 900 E Logan, Ottawa, Kansas Following the restrictions set by state and county health officials, the Franklin County Historical Society has canceled all in-person events through the month of April. We hope to reschedule this event when it is safe to do so. For centuries, native inhabitants of the land now known as Kansas have carved elaborate images in the soft sandstone of the Smoky Hills. Many of these…

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CANCELED March 13: Pi Kappa Delta Centennial Exhibit Grand Opening Reception

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Pi Kappa Delta: The Art of Persuasion: from Ottawa to the World 1913-2020 Exhibit Grand Opening Reception Friday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Old Depot Museum   In order to protect our staff, volunteers, researchers, and visitors, the Franklin County Historical Society is closing our facilities to the public and canceling events through March 29. The Pi Kappa Delta grand opening has been canceled, but the exhibit will open to the public at a later date. For more information, click here. Pi Kappa Delta, the oldest comprehensive intercollegiate…

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January 26: Franklin County’s Civil Conservation Corps topic of this year’s historical society annual meeting

Diana Staresinic-Deane

From 1933 until 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps employed millions of young, unmarried men in jobs related to conservation and natural resource development as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. Tod Bevitt will explore how the C.C.C. impacted Kansas and Franklin County during their presentation at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Members of the Franklin County Historical Society on Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m. at Neosho County Community College in Ottawa, Kansas. The Civilian Conservation Corps was arguably one of Roosevelt’s most successful New Deal programs. The…

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December 9: Christmas Storytime at the Old Depot Museum

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Old Depot Museum, Ottawa, Kansas Monday, December 9, 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Free admission, Family Friendly The Old Depot Museum and Ottawa Library are partnering to bring Christmas Storytime to the Old Depot Museum! Join us for an a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, crafts, and a tour of the museum! This program will be offered twice: 10 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. This free event is perfect for the whole family!

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