News – Franklin County Historical Society

April 27, 2025 – Union Guerillas of Civil War Kansas (online & in person)

March 31, 2025March 31, 2025 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Book cover for Union Guerillas of Civil War Kansas, featuring four portraits of men in 19th century attire

Union Guerillas of Civil War Kansas presented by Paul Thomas and Matt Matthews Sunday, April 27, 2025, 2 p.m. FCHS Archives & Research Center, 2011 E Logan St, Ottawa, KS Or register for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hZeBB-whSbyM_aXAzM8m-A Both before and during the American Civil War, ragtag groups of Kansas militants patrolled the Kansas-Missouri border. Known as “Jayhawkers” and later “Red Legs,” they raided anyone they believed sympathetic to secession. For many in the state, these irregular warriors were heroes fighting for a Free Kansas and preservation of the Union; for their victims,…

April 5, 2025 – Third Annual 5K Run for History (Fun Run/Walk)

March 31, 2025 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Silhouettes of runners. Text reads 5K Run For History.

Third Annual 5K Run for History (Fun Run/Walk) Saturday, April 5, 2025, 9 a.m. Old Depot Museum, 135 W Tecumseh St, Ottawa, KS Register for the race: https://runsignup.com/Race/KS/Ottawa/FranklinCountyHistoricalSociety5K Follow the historic routes of the AT&SF and Missouri Pacific Railroads past historic neighborhoods, a scenic cemetery, and the Marais des Cygnes River. Whether you want to set your best time or enjoy a stroll with your friends, your $25 registration fee will help support the Franklin County Historical Society. Commemorative t-shirts are guaranteed for all registrations received by March 21.…

April 23, 2025 – History Trivia Night

March 31, 2025 Diana Staresinic-Deane

History Trivia Night. Graphic includes neon signs and light bulbs.

History Trivia Night Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Not Lost Brewing, 229 S Main St, Ottawa, KS 66067 Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: https://square.link/u/etM581FU Bring your random history knowledge to the Franklin County Historical Society’s first-ever History Trivia Night! All proceeds will support the Franklin County Historical Society. Play solo or bring a team! Tickets include one beverage; participants are welcome to bring food from other local restaurants. Special thanks to Not Lost Brewing, Shanda Olmsted/Prestige Real Estate, and Kansas State Bank for sponsoring this…

October 25-26: Paranormal Investigations at Ottawa Memorial Auditorium

August 21, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

FCHS and OMA are partnering to offer you the opportunity to investigate the haunted century-old Ottawa Memorial Auditorium! Click here for October 25 Stage Fright Tickets Click here for October 26 Boos and Brews Tickets Stories of otherworldly activities have haunted the century-old auditorium for decades. This October, ghost hunters will have the opportunity to investigate the rumors themselves. Ottawa Memorial Auditorium and the Franklin County Historical Society are partnering to take investigators behind the scenes at OMA to confirm or refute stories of ghosts in the historic auditorium. Stage…

July 22-31: American Revolution traveling exhibit coming to the Old Depot Museum

June 25, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Men and women in 18th century clothing. Text reads The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit Now On Tour.

Innovative traveling Revolutionary War exhibit coming to Franklin County The General Edward Hand Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Franklin County Historical Society are excited to announce a traveling exhibit, the American Revolution Experience, will be on display at the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa, Kansas, from July 22 through July 31. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology, unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth…

July 20: Morning at the Mission: A Program and Tour at the Historic Ottawa Indian Mission & Burying Ground

June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Illustration. A woodframe meeting house stands within a wooden fence. Grave markers are visible to the left. Small houses and people are scattered among the trees and fields. Wagons and horses are parked along a dirt road. A stone pillar with a plaque reading Ottawa Indian Mission and Burying Ground: Graves of J Meeker, Founder, Chief Comchau, Notino, The Medicine Man, J. Tecumseh Jones Founder of OU in the foreground.

Morning at the Mission: A Program and Tour at the Historic Ottawa Indian Mission & Burying Ground featuring Kalisha Dixon Pheasant, Chief of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma John Mark Lambertson, Historian Saturday, July 20, 2024, 9 a.m. 3375 Osborne Terrace, Ottawa, Kansas, 66067 Tickets: $25 in Advance; $30 at the Gate Current Ottawa University students free with student ID at the gate Founded by Jotham Meeker after the 1844 flood destroyed much of the original 1837 mission site, the Ottawa Indian Mission was home to the Ottawa of Blanchard’s Fork…

August 10: A Creative Guide To Writing Your Family’s Stories (in-person program)

June 4, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

A family--including men, women, and teenaged children--sit and stand around, eating watermelon.

A Creative Guide To Writing Your Family’s Stories presented by Kim Stanley Saturday, August 10, 2024, 10 a.m. FCHS Archives & Research Center, 2011 E Logan St, Ottawa, KS We all love discovering a fantastic tale of our family’s past—whether it be the distant relative who journeyed on the Mayflower, or the grandmother riveted airplanes at a World War II factory. But how do we share these stories in engaging ways? This workshop provides the tools to enrich genealogical research with story and memory so that readers will feel what…

April 6: 5K Run For History Fun Run/Walk

March 13, 2024March 24, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

5K Run For History Fun Run/Walk Saturday, April 6, 2024 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Old Depot Museum, 135 W Tecumseh, Ottawa, KS 66067 Feel the spirit of the trains beneath your feet as you trace the paths of the AT&SF and the MoPac railroads during our Second Annual 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off at the Old Depot Museum! Whether you set your best time or enjoy a stroll with your friends, your $25 registration fee will help support the Franklin County Historical Society. Register by March 23 and receive…

March 3: Carnegie Libraries of Kansas (program)

February 15, 2024 Diana Staresinic-Deane

A Greek Revival brick and limestone building with basement windows and two stories visible. Two-story columns flank the entrance. The Words "Carnegie Free Library" are lettered on the building. Carnegie Free Library, Ottawa, Kansas, is written in the corner of the image.

Carnegie Libraries of Kansas presented by Christine Steinkuehler Sunday, March 3, 2024, 2 p.m. In person: FCHS Archives & Research Center, 2011 E Logan St, Ottawa, Kansas 66067 Online: Register for Zoom Once the richest man in the world, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) donated a substantial portion of his fortune to the construction of more than 2,500 libraries around the world. 65 of those libraries—including 59 public libraries and 7 academic/university libraries—were built in Kansas. In her presentation, Christine Steinkuehler will explore how these buildings democratized access to libraries and created…

New Exhibit: The Photographs of Luke Hoffman, University Student

December 6, 2023 Diana Staresinic-Deane

Image of a young man airbrushing geometric patterns on a canvas. Text reads: The Photography of Luke Hoffman (University students being university students in the 1910s)

During the 1910s, Luke Hoffman was an Ottawa University student pursuing a degree in science and a passion for photography. His photographs capture all aspects of university life between about 1913 and 1917. The Franklin County Historical Society’s new exhibit, The Photographs of Luke Hoffman, University Student, features 23 of Hoffman’s photos. Born in Illinois, Hoffman was the youngest child of German immigrant parents. He moved to Ottawa to attend Ottawa University Academy (a high school program) and Ottawa University. Hoffman was a skilled airbrush artist and graphic designer, and…