History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

August 2022

Everything Old is New Again

Big changes are coming to the Kansas Museum of History! Our “old” exhibits, dating back to the early 1980s, will soon be replaced with “new” and exciting exhibits, experiences, and interactives. Does history change? Not really, yet the way we interpret and present our stories can be altered to keep up with learning styles, technology, and new innovations. There is also almost forty years of history and new donations to interpret since this museum debuted. Our staff is excited and we hope you are too!

The Museum will close for these major renovations effective September 4, 2022. From August 17 to September 3 admission is free. Plans are to reopen in early 2024. If you would like to bring a group, please contact Joy Brennan for a reservation at joy.brennan@ks.gov or 785-272-8681 x415. 

Make and Take:

Covered Wagon

The covered wagon is one form of transportation closely associated with early Kansas history. People traveling on both the Oregon-California Trail and the Santa Fe Trail journeyed hundreds of miles using this familiar vehicle.

In Cruising Through Kansas: Make a Covered Wagon students learn about two types of covered wagons, compare them to modern vehicles, and can try building a model of their own.

National History Day 2023

History Day is an opportunity for students in grades six through twelve to learn valuable research skills while exploring topics that interest them. Students choose a topic that best fits the annual History Day theme and then build a project through a careful analysis of primary sources. Kansas history is full of topics that meet 2023’s theme of Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.The State Archives is a wonderful tool for research, and our archivists are available to help students identify and access material for their History Day projects. Contact us at kshs.reference@ks.gov to learn more.

More information can be found at Kansas History Day.

Mr. Mahaffie, What Can You Tell Us About the People on the Santa Fe Trail?

Was the Santa Fe Trail a two-way international trail? Did both American and Mexican traders move merchandise along the Santa Fe Trail? Students will learn the answer to these questions and more in this front porch chat with Mr. Mahaffie. The Mahaffie farm lay near the eastern end of the trail. From this spot James Mahaffie watched thousands of people journey both east and west on the trail.

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 16 through October 15, and the Santa Fe Trail is a great way to demonstrate pre-statehood connections.

Try these other materials to supplement a study of the Santa Fe Trail.

Monarch Tagging

The Kansas Museum of History and the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center are teaming up again in preparation for the annual monarch butterfly migration. Classes and monarch tagging opportunities at the Kansas Museum of History offer students an opportunity to serve as citizen scientists as they take part in researching this amazing insect. Specific dates and times will be announced closer to the September migration through Kansas. Watch our website for details.

Monarch butterfly populations have declined by close to 90% in the last few decades. These beautiful insects migrate through Kansas during the last two weeks of September, and we are waiting for them!

Student Photo Contest

The Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest is open to students from first through twelfth grades. Students can submit up to five photographs, shot in Kansas during 2022. The theme is “What Kansas Means to Me." Check later for more details.

State Capitol Visitors Center offers guided tours. Self-guided brochures are available for those who want to explore on their own.

State historic sites offer guided tours. Look for a site in your area.

A variety of virtual tours, videos, and Nearpod lessons are available to use in your classroom.  

Traveling resource trunks are available to borrow. Reserve one now for the school year.

Uncover the forgotten history of the heartland