We have decided it is time to toot our own horn! While we have been sharing stories about Kearny County history, we have neglected to write much about the Kearny County Museum. Our hometown museum is not only a wonderful tribute to the pioneers who built up our county but also an essential asset to this community and others who are seeking historical and genealogical information.
The Kearny County Historical Society was organized in November of 1957. Virginia Pierce Hicks was named to head the KCHS with Helen Rardon serving as vice president, Edith Clements as secretary, Foster Eskelund as treasurer and Margaret Hurst, historian. Other charter members of the society included Rudy and Maybelle Gropp, Olivia Ramsey, Leon Scott Davis, Mary Smith, Leonard and Della Enslow, Dorothy Jenks, Vivian Thomas, Mame Thomas, Naomi Burrows, Hazel Stullken and W.L. Mullins.
In February of 1958, the Lakin City Council gave approval for the historical society to use the police and courtroom quarters in the city building on East Waterman Avenue as a location for a city museum. The following year, the Old Settlers’ Association disbanded, and gave a $100 war bond along with the monies in the group’s bank account to the historical society. Association documents and other items of importance were also given to the KCHS. Up to that point, the Old Settlers had done much of the collecting and preservation of local history which ultimately helped the historical society to achieve its main goal of compiling a single volume of Kearny County’s historical facts. That dream came to fruition in 1964 when the “History of Kearny County Kansas” Volume I was printed. In the words of Mrs. Hicks, society members “worked and struggled long to make the dream come true.”
Bottom Row L-R: Rosamond Eves, Naomi Burrows, Mary Smith, Helen Rardon, Hazel Stullken, Sidney Tate. Second Row: Margaret Hurst, Virginia Hicks, Mame Thomas, Vivian Thomas, Lenora Tate. Top Row: Bob Coder, Iman Wiatt, Joe Eves, Foster Eskelund.
Also in 1964, a bond issue went up before the voters to build a new Kearny County library in Lakin. When the proposition failed, the library moved from its quarters in the court house to the building at 109 N. Main which now houses Golden Plains Credit Union. In June of 1965, the Lakin Independent announced that a very small levy would be made by Kearny County which would afford the KCHS the ability to rent a small space in the rear of the library to store, preserve and exhibit articles of historical value. Then, in 1973, the second volume of “History of Kearny County Kansas” was released. Though the book was the culmination of work by many, the editorial staff was composed of a faithful few: Foster Eskelund, Naomi Burrows, Joan Shaw, Hazel Stullken, Barbara Beymer, Thelma Oakley, Shirley Henderson and Elaine West.
After the current library was completed in 1974, the museum took up the entire space in the 109 N. Main building. That same year, Jennie Rose O’Loughlin deeded the White House to the historical society along with the half block on South Buffalo that the museum complex occupies. The White House is the oldest house in town and was originally home to the Alonzo Boylan family. Boylan, an operator and telegrapher for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, moved to Lakin in 1874. He was joined by his wife and two children in September 1875, and the house was completed shortly afterwards and stood on the railroad right-of-way near Garfield Street.
In 1916, the house was acquired by the O’Loughlin family and moved to its present location. It became the family home of William and Grace O’Loughlin but was later used as a rental property. Restoration of the White House began March 29, 1977, and was done by a number of volunteers led by Ella Maune and Lucile Dienst. They worked diligently to return the house to its original appearance, removing closets, hallways, particle board flooring, tile, etc., that had been added through the years. Thirty-two gallons of paint remover were used on the wood in the two-story structure—hardwood that had been freighted in from Wisconsin. In some areas as many as eight layers of paint were removed. All the woodwork was restored to its natural color. Wainscoating that had been taken out in years past was replaced in the kitchen and dining room. Wallpaper was hung, curtains sewn, and plaster repaired. An open house was held in 1978. The house is brimming with historical artifacts, most of which were graciously donated. A few of the items on display include a collection of horse hair furniture, John and Mary O’Loughlin’s bedroom suit along with many other pieces from the O’Loughlin Family, a fainting couch, hoosier cabinet, and a silver platter which belonged to the first occupants of the house and was donated recently by their great-granddaughter, Vivian Fletcher Fankhauser.
Columbia school house, originally constructed in 1893, was moved to the museum grounds from 15 miles north of Lakin in December 1977. Lynn Cannon and Harold P. Walker, both long-time Kearny County residents, donated considerable time and labor to restore the building both inside and out. Several others also helped with the repairs and with furnishing the one-room school, and many donated graciously to the project. Rudy and Maybelle Gropp had purchased the school back in 1952 when the building went up on the auction block. In August of 1978, Maybelle transferred ownership to the Kearny County Historical Society for the whole sum of $1.
Groundbreaking for the museum’s 6,000 square foot main building was held in March of 1978, and a combined open house for the refurbished school and museum was held May 10, 1980. Long-time board member Foster Eskelund noted, “We of Kearny County and future posterity, are very much indebted to Lucile Dienst and her co-workers for the unassuming massive effort, love, care and hard work that went into the museum, house and school house to make a precious reality come to life.” After the Museum was completed, people started bringing in artifacts, and soon the Kearny County Museum was recognized as one of the best in the state. In 1983, the Kearny County Historical Society was awarded the Kansas State Historical Society’s very first “Award of Excellence” which recognized KCHS’s outstanding achievements.
We are just getting started! Check back next week for part II of our story on the Kearny County Museum! Toot toot!!
