Governor Visits Abilene 

Yesterday, Governor, Dr. Jeff Colyer signed his first bill, SB-262, authorizing the construction of a statue honoring Dwight D. Eisenhower on the grounds of the Kansas State Capitol. Abilene Mayor, Dr. Timothy Shaffer, accepted a copy of the proclamation on behalf of the City of Abilene. Commissioners Chris Ostermann and Sharon Petersen, and City Manager, Austin Gilley, also attended the ceremony.  

The Governor, along with Merrill Eisenhower Atwater, Eisenhower's great-grandson, also enjoyed lunch at Ike's Place. 

Thanks for visiting!


Great Plains Theatre Highlighted in Magazine


Check out the spring edition of KANSAS! Magazine to learn more about Abilene's Great Plains Theatre. 
The Small Town in Kansas that's Absolute Heaven if you Love Antiquing


Thanks to Only In Your State for highlighting Abilene's diverse antique businesses. 

Plenty of Kansans are looking for a new piece for their home decor, or that addition to their collection they can't seem to find. Are you ready for a bargain hunting bonanza? This small town in Kansas is full of antiques, so plan to spend your next day off sifting through treasures if you love antiquing! Let's take a look.

"Where's Shane?" Celebrates President's Day in Abilene

Click image to view video.
KWCH's Shane Konicki spent President's Day in Abilene. Check out the video clips from his segment "Where's Shane?" online.
Budget-Friendly Getaways

Thanks to Cheapism.com for highlighting Abilene as one of twelve "Budget-Friendly Presidents' Day Getaways". 

Abilene, named one of the "Top 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2017" by Smithsonian Magazine, presents another opportunity to explore presidential history: The city is the location of The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, (admission $12 for adults, $6 for children) one of Kansas' top attractions. The city is also known for its restaurants, including the famous Brookville Hotel, part of the culinary "8 Wonders of Kansas" for its family-style chicken menu. Rooms at Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast, which include breakfast, range from $79 to $129.

Gift to Old Abilene Town


Exciting news from  Old Abilene Town ! Thanks to the Frank W. and Gwen Jordan Community Fund for this generous contribution. Frank was one of the original founders of Old Abilene Town.

KANSAS! Magazine's Weekend Getaways

With your help, Abilene's Three One One received recognition in KANSAS! Magazine's "Best Local Eats" contest. Now, we're asking for your help again to help Abilene receive recognition as a favorite place for weekend getaways.

Readers' Choice Weekend Getaway
Sometimes you just have to get away. Maybe as a couple, family or just some friends needing to unplug and reconnect. What's your favorite destination in Kansas to take a weekend getaway?

Submit your destination between now and March 15, and tells us what places you'd visit, events you would attend and why you'd want to spend 36 hours at this destination. The most submissions will move on to the voting round. Voting will be open from March 16 through May 31. Winning "Weekend Getaways" will be announced in the winter 2018 issue.

Readers' Choice Guidelines
  • Nominations are being accepted through March 15.
  • Top nominations will move on to a voting round on March 16.
  • Winners will be determined by the total number of votes received.
  • Winners will be revealed in the winter 2018 edition of the KANSAS!.
 
Chisholm Trail Events Center Opening Soon

Abilene's newest venue, the Chisholm Trail Event Center is opening soon! The space is large enough to host meetings, weddings, reunions, auctions and more! 

Open House: 
Saturday, March 3
Noon-2:30 p.m.

The Chisholm Trail Events Center is located adjacent to Old Abilene Town at 108 SE 6th. 
Eisenhower Marathon

Join runners from around the country for the annual Eisenhower Marathon!

Saturday, April 7, 2018
Marathon/Half start @ 7:00 a.m.
10k/5k start @ 7:30 a.m.

 
Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills

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If you  love  the  Flint Hills , you won't want to miss  Prairie Hollow Productions ' screening of "Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills", a feature-length film profiling notable women promoting, preserving & protecting the Flint Hills, April 15 at  Great Plains Theatre .

There is no charge for admission, but attendees are encouraged to register online.

Note: Those who love Sunflower Journeys will remember Prairie Hollow Productions' co-founder, Dave Kendall as its host for nearly 30 years. Kendall also has ties to Dickinson County. We are pleased he chose Abilene's Great Plains Theatre as one of the theatres to screen "Prairie Women: Engaging Women of the Flint Hills."
Reitz & Rust Vintage Market and Camper Show

As featured in SouthernLiving and back by popular demand, the Reitz & Rust Vintage Market's Camper Show!

 
Arts & Ales

Save the date! Join the Arts Council of Dickinson County for their inaugural Arts & Ales fundraiser featuring craft beer samples from Kansas breweries, live music and silent auction. 

Saturday, April 28, 2018
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Little Ike Park / Parking Lot
Downtown Abilene

Vendors Wanted

Abilene will be the scene of its first ever outdoor antique festival in the downtown area on May 12.  Five blocks will be closed to traffic and filled with vendors selling vintage, retro, antique furniture and decor, repurposed items, and food.  The event is being presented by two downtown antique malls, Mud Creek and Abilene Downtown Antique Mall and is being organized by volunteers who plan to make this an annual event.
 
Anyone interested in being a vendor can email  abileneantiquefest@gmail.com .    

Throwback Thursday

Mecca Of Cow Trails Comes To Life Again
The streets of Abilene town, the mecca of the cattle trails, is echoing again to the tramp of booted feet. Workmen are adding the finishing touches to Abilene's contribution to the Kansas centennial. The "town" is at the south edge of the city.

Station Added
Last major job to complete the town was the addition of the railroad station, a necessity in any town which served as the terminus of cattle drives. The main street is authentically brood and dusty; 19th century street light line the boardwalks. The marshal's office overlooks the length of the street, and the local saloon is located strategically, to catch the eye of any visitor. Abilene residents pitched in to help furnish the town as completely as possible. Victoria clothing and merchandise were contributed to help stock the stores.

Dust Blows
Wagons, horse-drawn carriages and even an aged hearse line Main street. Real dust blows realistically in the gutters. Heading the town building job is Harvard Goodrich, manager of the Old Abilene Town Co. Inc., developers of the tourist attraction. Working with loving care, Goodrich insists that all furnishings be authentic, down to the last detail. Construction was begun several months ago, to allow plenty of time for completion before celebration of the Kansas Centennial began. Fine working weather hastened construction:  the town now is almost complete.  The famed Abilene town of the early West has returned, to delight tourists and centennial celebrants alike.

-The Salina Journal
January 22, 1961
 
5 Star Reviews - Seelye Mansion

One of the best tours I have ever been on. Beautiful house with antiques you won't find anywhere else.

-StephMacy
Wichita, Kansas

Patriotism in Abilene 

It's that time of year again! The City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on Third Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are flown for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene's Public Works Department replaces them as needed.
 
Our goal this year is to purchase 200 flags for the 2018 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole and bracket.
 
Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW attach the flags to the flagpoles. The Public Works Department, Eagle Communications, Abilene Rental and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles.
 
We rely on the community to provide funding for this project and hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year.

Flag sponsors to date:
  • M&M Tire & Auto
  • Danner Funeral Home, Inc.
  • Rivendell Bookstore
  • John's Service
  • Solomon State Bank
  • Greyhound Hall of Fame
  • Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home
  • Bob Burns Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Next Home Unlimited
  • Eisenhower Foundation
  • Abilene Termite & Pest Control
  • Memorial Health System
  • Sonic
  • Dr. Lawrence M. Cooper
  • Abilene Machine
  • GreatLife Golf & Fitness
  • Abilene Rental-All & Sales, Inc.
  • Black & Co Realtors
  • Linder Electric
  • The Teck Shop
  • Abilene Auto Parts
  • Great Plains Federal Credit Union
  • Brian's Plumbing, Inc.
  • Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman, Chartered          
  • Prim & Popper Parlor
  • West's Plaza Country Mart
  • Holm Automotive Center
  • Bill & Nanc Scholl
  • Pioneer Farm & Ranch Supply
  • Three One One
  • Brown Memorial Foundation
  • Robson Oil
  • Dennis & Teresa Weishaar
  • First Bank Kansas
  • Stephens Chiropractic
  • Rob & Dawn Hammatt
  • UMB Bank
  • Twila Jackson
  • 24/7
  • Smart Insurance
  • Auburn Pharmacy
  • Central Kansas Free Fair
  • National Greyhound Association
  • Mildred Hanson
  • Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Austin & Katrina Gilley
  • Casey & Jane Foltz
  • Julie Roller
  • Harold Courtois
  • George & Carol McCormic
  • Horizon Farm & Ranch Realty 
Thank you for your continued support!  

"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 22, 1945

train
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's 2018 schedule is now available online. Book early to reserve prime dates!

Dickinson County Heritage Center

Ellie Carlson presents "Dating Photographs Through Costumes," an interactive presentation. 

Family photographs are hard to date once the generation pictured has passed away. Many people have unidentified photos in their collection. Determining an approximate date may help you to know whether the woman in the photo is your grandmother or your great-grandmother. This is where costume dating can be helpful. 

Note: Please bring photographs with you to the lecture and we will all try to date them for you using the techniques outlined in the presentation.

Join us at the Dickinson County Heritage Center on Saturday, March 3, at 7 PM for this captivating presentation.

Free admission for this event.

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Save the date!
Lunch & Learn
WWI Soldier Poetry
Visitors Center Auditorium - February 22 at Noon 

While poetry is not a common form of expression today, it was quite popular a century ago. Family and historical documents show that soldiers from every country involved in World War I (1917 - 1919) wrote poetry. While some critics have dismissed these writings as unworthy of serious attention, Tim Rives, deputy director and supervisory archivist of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, will share how important and useful this soldier poetry can be in studying the experiences of the common American service member in the First World War. The examples used in Rives' presentation all have a strong Kansas connection. A light lunch will be served

Great Plains Theatre

Dan Kamin 
Comedy In Motion
April 7, 7:00pm

Tickets: 
Adults - $15 and Students - $15

Dan  Kamin trained Robert Downey Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in Chaplin and created Johnny Depp's comedy moves for Benny and Joon. In Comedy in Motion he lampoons smarmy magicians, pompous divas, texting drivers and "other annoying people who try my patience and risk my life." Come find out why Dan's been called "demented, charming and brilliant."

GPT Cinema
Feb 23: Paddington 2


Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Abilene's Greyhound Hall of Fame is open daily. Stop by and say hi to resident greyhounds Gary and Ginger.


Seelye Mansion

Named an 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winner, Abilene's Seelye Mansion is open daily for tours.


Coming soon:
  • 1776 the Musical - March 1-4
  • Easter Egg Roll at Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home - March 31
  • K-State Skydivers at Abilene Municipal Airport - April 14
  • Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills - April 15
  • National Greyhound Association's Spring Meet - April 16-21
  • Reitz & Rust Spring Vintage Market - April 28
  • Arts & Ales - April 28
  • Antique Fest - May 12
Share your news!
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to: director@abilenecityhall.com.