The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 10

Kansas 2 The SaHna Journal gofatrHav. October Page 10: the new moky Hill Museum Diane Fadness, director of the Smoky Hill Museum, stands in front of an exhibit of tools used by blacksmiths. The new museum opens Sunday. A history ofSalina's museum Photoi by Scott Wlllhmi ByNANCYMALJR StaH Writer When the latest version of the Saline County historical museum opens its doors to the public Sunday amidst the historical pomp of a vintage vehicle parade and the usual dedication ceremonies, visitors will view a collection begun more than 100 years ago by Salina founders with foresight. Col.

William A. Phillips organized the Saline County Historical Society in 1879,21 years after he helped found the city, according to Mary Crowther, Kansas librarian at the Salina Public Library. Alexander M. Campbell the son of another Salina founder, Alexander M. Campbell continued Phillips' efforts to collect historical artifacts when he became secretary of the society in 1885, Crowther said.

For 50 years, Campbell who by some accounts became the society stored books, photographs and artifacts in his basement at 122 S. Ninth. He collected until the home could hold no more. In the 1920s, Campbell began to sound out the library board for a space to store and display the items and on Oct. 1,1930, the board voted to house the collection in the library's basement.

Campbell died in 1931 and his widow, Effie Davis Campbell, and their daughter, Mary, turned the collection over to the city in January 1934, when the museum officially opened. Coincidentally, the old library, which has been razed, faced what now will be the new museum the former post office at Eighth and Iron. Effie Campbell became the museum's curator and continued to add to the collection until her retirement in 1954. The opening of the Saline County Historical Museum on the top floor of the Salina Public Library drew its share of attention in a Salina Journal story of Jan. 2,1934: "A chronological history of Saline County in pictures and relics, the result of nearly 50 years of collecting and preserving by the late A.M.

Campbell was made accessible to the public Monday when the formal opening of the museum on the third floor of the public library was held. "So arranged that the development of this county can be observed by passing around the room from the time only Indians camped on or near the site of Salina until today, the collection of early pictures and relics should hold special interest to the younger generation, who know little of pioneer life. "Included in the collection of miscellaneous items are ceremonial and hunting and warfare relics of Indians, some of which are said by authorities on the subject to be equal to the best in any museum." Also included in that first museum were books and manuscripts, Crowther said. Over the years, however, the artifacts and books have been separated. Crowther said all of the papers, books and documents now are part of the Kansas collection at the Salina Public Library.

Effie Campbell reported in late May 1934 that 4,014 people had visited the museum since Jan. 1. Because the library-museum was overflowing with artifacts and the old bathhouse in Oakdale Park was available, Crowther said the historical collection was relocated there in 1955. The Smoky Hill Historical Museum was formally opened on Oct. 28, an event that drew more than 200 guests.

The informal opening had been on June 17. Frank Langshaw, who was in the charge of the museum from 1969 to 1984, said the second museum drew people and compliments from around the world. "A lot of them would say (things about) various other museums, (and that) they enjoyed this one more because of the historical things on display. "You name it and you could probably find it in it," Langshaw said of the museum. Among the noticeable displays were an old-time general store, a large rock collection, Indian artifacts, an early parlor and kitchen, and a collection of stuffed birds and animals.

In the museum's annual report for 1956, 10,791 visitors were recorded from 130 Kansas communities, 32 states and the countries of Nigeria, Canada, Germany, Mexico and England. Langshaw said many area schools visited the museum, which was also attractive to picnickers because of its park location. But space was always a problem for the museum, which had to store its overflow in various locations throughout Salina. In 1969, the possibility of moving the museum to the courthouse vacated by the completion of the City-County Building was discussed. But it wasn't until 1983 that the city of (See Museum, Page 13) Gayle Rose, chairwoman of the museum opening committee, prices merchandise in the gift shop.

Lisa Callaway tears away paper that covered the front door. Opening month museum activities The Smoky Hill Museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday- Saturday, except for Thursday when it will be open until 9 p.m.

Special activities during the grand opening month are as follows: Sunday Grand Opening, 1 -5 p.m. Tuesday Workshop for children, 3:30 p.m. Thundoy Lecture: "Indians o( the Plains," by Brian and Ann Conner, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 Demonstration: Prairie Longrifles: Guntmlthing, Leather Tanning and Bead work, 10a.m.

to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 Demonstration: Basketry by Cherl Ninke, Smolon, I p.m Oct. 12 Demonstration: Chair Caning by Helen Dingier, Enterprise, I p.m. Oct.

12 Films: "Prairie Roots" and "Frontier Experience," ID rn Oct. 13 Moonlight Madness: Open until 9 p.m. Oct. 14 Workshop for children 3 30 p.m. Oct.

16 Lecture: "SolingFounding "by Marion Klema and Judy Lilly both of Salina. 7:30 p.m. Oct. II Demonstration Blacksmithing by Lloyd Rohr, Brid 9 eport. 10 a.m.

Demonstration: Woodworking by Bob Gray, Salina, 11:30 a.m. Demonstration: Woodworking, bv Brandon Sherwood. Sallno, 12:30 p.m Oct. Demonitration: Blacksmithing by Lloyd Rhor, 1 p.m. Demonstration: Woodworking by Bob Gray, 2 p.m.

Demonstration: "Preserving Your Family's Past Through Objects," by Diane Fadness, 2p.m. Oct. 21 Workshop for children, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23 Lecture: "Country Profiles Oct.

25 County Tour: Heritage Express Guided Bus Tour through south- central Saline County, 9a.m. Demonstration: Spinning and Weaving, by Smoky Valley Fiber Guild, Salina, 11 a.m. to3p.m. Demonstration: Spinning by Gary Hicks, Salina, 1 p.m. Oct.

26 Demonstration: Spinning and Weaving by Smoky Valley Fiber Guild. to Spinnning by Gary 3p.m. Demonstration: Hicks. 1 p.m. Oct.

26 Demonstration: "Preserving Your Family's Past Through Words." by htslen Crawford, Salina, 2 p.m. Oct. 21 Workshop for children, 3 30 p.m. Oct. 30 Lecture: Kansas Politics.

"Reform. Not Revolution, Radical Politics in Kansas," by C. Robert Haywood, Washburn University professor, 7:30 p.m..