History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

February 2024

Make and Take: Log Cabin

Log cabins were a popular type of housing structure built by early Kansas settlers. Use this paper log cabin to discuss the various types of homes built by Kansans. Dive deeper by analyzing how the environment influenced what type of structures could be built. Why were cabins more common in eastern Kansas? What type of housing was used in the west? Compare homes of the past to the modern houses we live in today.

Bleeding Kansas Series: Episode 3

Continue your journey through Kansas territorial history with the third episode in our Bleeding Kansas series.This video aligns with Kansas History, Government, and Social Studies Standards and follows the Kansas Journey textbook. Consider using these videos as a supplementary resource after finishing each corresponding chapter in the textbook. Episode 3 focuses on the groups and individuals that came to Kansas Territory and what motivated them to make the journey. Stay tuned for the next episode that discusses the violent conflicts that gave "Bleeding Kansas" its name.

Standards Based Activity:

Votes for Women!

HGSS Standard #2: Individuals have rights and responsibilities.

As we approach Women’s History Month in March, we offer materials to introduce your students to the topic of women’s suffrage. Kansas was a leader in the fight for equal rights for women. What began as early as the territorial period would take until 1912 before most Kansas women gained full voting rights. It took another 8 years for women across the nation to obtain voting rights with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution.

This significant part of the nation’s history is highlighted in the Read Kansas! Lesson M-27 for middle school students. Students will explore primary sources and answer questions as they learn more about women’s suffrage.



We also offer a poster for your classroom which highlights some of the female politicians in Kansas who have broken through barriers and served our state over the last 100 years.

Explore Kansas at Fort Hays

Guided tours of Fort Hays State Historic Site help students visualize post-Civil War life in Western Kansas. The United States built the fort in 1865 in the land of the Cheyenne and Arapaho with the goal of protecting railroad workers and people traveling on the Smoky Hill Trail. The Great Debate, a special exhibit about George Custer, is on display through March 23, 2024. Fort Hays State Historic Site is open year round with free admission. Contact the site to schedule a tour for your class.

Outreach Event

Hayden High School, February 2 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Look for Trae Johnson and Ashley Pheigaru at this upcoming event to discover educational resources for students, teachers, and families. Games and activities will be available for students of all ages.

Remember, our education team is here to help! If you would like the Kansas Historical Society to participate in your upcoming event, resource fair, or professional development session, please email us at kshs.education@ks.gov.

Don't Forget!

Rural School Days programs are still offered at the Kansas Museum of History.

Read Kansas! are available free of charge for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students while supplies last.

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.

The Kansas Museum of History is closed for renovations. Although the museum is not available for field trips, our staff is here for you.

Zephyr, our newest publication, provides information on events, programs, updates on the museum renovation, and highlights a variety of state historic sites.

State Historic Sites now have free admission! Look for one in your area. Call ahead as some are only open seasonally.