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Museum Hosts Annual Meeting with Engaging Presentation by Local Historian
Nearly 50 attendees gathered on Sunday, March 30th, at the Hansen Museum for the Museum’s annual meeting. Following a brief review of the Museum’s accomplishments in 2024, Director Shari Buss expressed heartfelt gratitude to Museum employees, Board Members, and Hansen Foundation Trustees for their unwavering support. Special recognition was given to Board Members Jim McDonal and Carol Bales for their remarkable dedication—25 and 20 years of service, respectively.
In keeping with the Museum’s current exhibition, A Place to Call Home, the highlight of the meeting was a captivating presentation by local historian Connie Cox. Dressed in period attire, Connie transported the audience back in time with vivid, first-hand accounts of pioneers who braved the Kansas frontier to establish their homes.
With her animated storytelling and vibrant personality, Connie held the audience in rapt attention—often eliciting laughter—while recounting tales of hardship and resilience. She shared gripping stories, including one about a group of gray wolves surrounding a sod house where a dying woman lay, and another about an enterprising pioneer who claimed a bluff as his homestead to establish a “white marble” stone company that later supplied tombstones.
Concluding her presentation, Connie encouraged everyone to become historians—at least of their own family heritage. She challenged the audience to consider how well they knew their family tree, using a simple method to gauge their knowledge. Asking attendees to raise their right hand and put up a finger for each generation they could name on their mother’s side—starting with their mother’s mother and her birthplace—and repeating the process with the left hand for their father’s lineage.
All in all, it was an engaging and enjoyable afternoon. We extend our sincere thanks to Connie for her inspiring and insightful presentation.
Feeling inspired to explore your own family history?
A Place to Call Home remains on view at the Hansen Museum through June 17th. This compelling exhibition highlights the struggles and triumphs of those who ventured from the civilized East to tame the wild expanse of central Kansas. Today, we proudly stand on the shoulders of these brave men, women, and children.
The Hansen Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is fully handicap accessible, and admission is always free, thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
For more information, please contact us at 785-689-4846. We hope to see you at the Museum soon!
