Table of contents for Issue No. 2 2025 in KANSAS!

Once the home of a thriving congregation, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geary County stood for decades as the social hub for the McDowell Creek community. Sunday mass, baptisms, weddings, funerals and other church activities regularly occurred in the limestone structure built in 1910. When it was decommissioned in 1989, the building sat empty for years, falling into disrepair. However, salvation is close at hand for the local landmark. In 2008, the St. Joseph Catholic Church joined the Geary County Historical Society’s museums. To preserve the church’s architectural history, the historical society began restoring the building’s beauty and functionality. Renovations are well underway, and the building is structurally sound, says Cindy Quinlan, chair of the Geary County Historical Society’s St. Joseph Restoration Committee. The plan is for the historic building…

MUSEUM OF DEAF HISTORY, ARTS & CULTURE Olathe/ By celebrating Deaf culture, the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture (MDHAC) in Olathe is working to correct the misconception that deafness is a limitation. Concepts such as Deafhood (the journey a deaf person takes to understand their identity) and audism (the prejudice against deaf people) are introduced in a brief video alongside captivating interviews and stories from people with deep ties to the Deaf community. This is your first stop on the museum’s fascinating free tour. “Visitors will discover a vibrant Deaf community and gain a meaningful appreciation for deaf people and signed languages. They will learn how deaf individuals have thrived throughout history despite narratives that emphasize a perceived ‘lack of’ or ‘inability,’” says Chriz Dally, executive director of…

LAIRD OF MUCK “Lawrence MacEwan was the Laird of Muck, a genuine feudal laird who owned this Scottish island, kept it alive when the population dwindled to less than 40, and became a legend in Scottish island lore. I recognized in him a farmer much like those I grew up with in Kansas. Up atop his island that day, a gale threatened to blow us off into the sea. When Lawrence hunkered into the hillside, his dog came alongside, and as he reached up to pet it, Lawrence fixed me with that eagle eye of intense island determination. Sadly, he is gone, but when he died, newspapers around the world ran obituaries—and used my picture.” CUBA FOLKS “Harvest Festival in Cuba, Kansas, was always a time of community building. And this picture…

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question often asked, but for many of us, the answer remains elusive well into adulthood. Dreams shift and evolve. Sometimes, they get put aside. Then, someone or something reignites them. For National Geographic photojournalist Jim Richardson, storytelling through images has been a lifelong pursuit. His ability to capture not just moments but entire narratives has made him one of the most respected photographers in his field. But beyond his portfolio of breathtaking landscapes and cultural documentation, Jim has inspired countless photographers—myself included. I received my first camera at 13 but didn’t enroll in my first photography class until high school. Though I thought my work wasn’t bad, my teacher let me know otherwise. I was crushed. I decided photography…

when most people hear the name George Washington Carver, their thoughts often turn to the peanut. History regards Carver as “The Peanut Man,” as he helped popularize this humble legume by discovering more than 300 different uses. But, as shown at “The Seeds Take Root,” a new exhibit in the Ottawa County Historical Museum in Minneapolis, Kansas, his work with the peanut is but a bullet point on his long list of scientific and agricultural innovations. Carver began life as an enslaved person in Missouri and spent several of his formative years in Kansas. He is believed to have been born in 1864 and orphaned when he was just a baby. Carver wrote in a brief autobiography displayed in the museum that he was reared by his former enslavers, who…

What inspired you to pursue a career in freelance writing? Just a couple of months after having twin boys, I wrote my first article as a freelance writer. I wanted the best of both worlds as a mother and a writer. My connections at the newspapers and with the people I had interviewed led me to freelance opportunities. What do you enjoy writing about the most? My passion is to inspire the exploration and appreciation of my home state. I enjoy writing about attractions, restaurants, cultural events and scenic sites in Kansas. I also have a passion for history and take pleasure in uncovering personal stories that relate to historic sites and events in our state. What do you enjoy reading? I love browsing the Internet to learn more about…

The Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) plays an essential role in preserving and conserving the state’s rich history. One of the biggest challenges is finding the balance between protecting historic artifacts and making them accessible. After all, history can truly be understood only when people have the opportunity to engage with it. Yet, the battle against time and degradation is ever-present, especially when it comes to delicate items such as Kansas’ Civil War battle flags. KSHS is home to an extraordinary collection of more than 75 flags representing Kansas’ involvement in the Civil War and other wars. These flags tell a powerful story, not only about the state’s military history but also about the diverse and often complex political landscape of the time. Most of the collection consists of battle flags, but…

all aboard the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad for a taste of Kansas history, a sampling of adventure, and a serving of nostalgia. With more than 30 dinner trains scheduled for 2025, the Abilene & Smoky Valley dinner train (A&SV) offers passengers a chance to feast on authentic dishes inspired by the golden age of rail travel. Other themed dinners aboard the A&SV include menus reminiscent of Kansas’ cow-town heyday, international cuisine, and a taste of high society. According to A&SV historian Kevin Bailey, a desire to serve historically accurate cuisine resulted in the train’s unique Dining Car Heritage Series. The focus was on those trains that once traveled through Kansas, including the Union Pacific, which made stops in Abilene; the Missouri Pacific, which included stops in Council Grove, Herington,…

amagazine cover serves as its calling card, a visual representation of its identity and purpose. It sets the tone, giving readers a preview of the stories featured inside. The design, photography and typography are not just aesthetic choices but intentional signals that convey the magazine’s voice and focus. From its origins as a tool for promoting industrial growth to its evolution into a celebrated lifestyle and travel magazine, KANSAS! has mirrored the shifting identity of the state it represents. Over the decades, the magazine has transitioned from focusing on development and infrastructure to showcasing Kansas’ culture and natural beauty. To the Stars Era (1940s–1950s) First released in November 1945, the magazine was titled To the Stars and was an industry newsletter for the Kansas Industrial Development Commission. Its masthead was…

Jim Richardson sits at his computer in his office on Main Street in Lindsborg, cataloging pictures from his storied career. He has generously invited me to spend a few hours chatting with him about his life in Kansas, his career as a world-renowned photojournalist (working for such publications as National Geographic), his photography business and what he’s up to next. Richardson and I are both former photographers for the Kansas State University student newspaper, the Kansas State Collegian, though he predates me a bit. Having made my living with a camera for 30 years, I have admired Richardson’s work since I first decided to pursue photography—this assignment was both an intimidating and exciting experience. The large glass pane on the front door of his business bears its name: Spring Hill.…