Category: News

Hidden history of Kansas, Deborah Barker’s retirement to be featured at the 81st Annual Franklin County Historical Society Meeting

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Kansas’ history runs deep, and author Adrian Zink will explore that hidden history during his presentation at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Members of the Franklin County Historical Society on Sunday, January 28, 2 p.m. at Neosho County Community College in Ottawa, Kansas. While working at Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Adrian Zink found himself following historical bread crumbs in his research. Hidden History of Kansas is a collection of those little bits of history. Tornados, the Donner Party, a mass grave discovered near Great Bend, the Brenham…

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Author Paul Thomas to speak about Kansas ghosts, history

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Ghost stories and Kansas history will be the focus of author Paul Thomas’s presentation on Sunday, October 29, 3 p.m. at Neosho County Community College in Ottawa, Kansas. Thomas has long been interested in Kansas folklore and the ghost stories of northeastern Kansas. As a student at the University of Kansas, he cofounded the Stephenson Hall Paranormal Investigation Team, which investigated purportedly haunted locations in and around the Lawrence area. His new book, Haunted Lawrence, looks at the ghosts of one of Kansas’ oldest towns. He explores the stories—and the…

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Classic horror film accompanied by live musical score coming to Ottawa on October 21

Diana Staresinic-Deane

The Franklin County Historical Society is bringing three fun and spooky films accompanied by live music to the Plaza Cinema Saturday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Bill Shaffer, former producer/director at KTWU, will emcee the October 21 event, which starts at 7 p.m. The evening’s lineup includes the short films Felix Switches Witches (1927), Saturday’s Lesson (1928), and the horror film Nosferatu the Vampyre (1922). What will make the October 21 program unique is the live musical accompaniment. Composer and theatre organist Marvin Faulwell and Topeka Symphony Orchestra percussionist Bob…

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Cemetery tour explores history and art in Ottawa’s Highland Cemetery

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Cemeteries are a snapshot of a community’s history, and on Sunday, October 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Franklin County Historical Society will host a special event at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. This year’s tour is designed to help participants discover the stories of Franklin County through the history of its people and funerary art. Established in 1886, Highland Cemetery is Ottawa’s second cemetery. The first, Hope Cemetery, was established in 1865, but Ottawans quickly discovered that Hope Cemetery was prone to flooding. They chose a new…

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New exhibit examines Midwestern World War II Home Front effort through Franklin County photographer’s images

Diana Staresinic-Deane

On Sunday, September 10, the Old Depot Museum will launch a new exhibit that explores what life was like for Kansans on the Home Front during World War II.  The museum will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the grand opening. Admission will be free for all visitors that day. Using artifacts and photographs, “Home Front in the Heartland, Revisited,” examines the patriotism and sacrifice typical of Midwesterners during the early 1940s. War bond ads, ration books, a Red Cross uniform and patriotic posters will all be…

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