KANSAS CITY, KAN. - The Kansas Humanities Council recently awarded $46,215.00 in Humanities and Heritage grants to eight organizations.
Local contributions to the projects are estimated at $77,987.
Brown County Historical Society, Hiawatha ($2,920)
“Preservation of the Dress Collection”
A project to catalog, photograph, label, and preserve the historical society’s collection of wedding dresses, Halloween Queen dresses, and early 1900s dresses. Eric Oldham, project director.
El Centro, Inc., Kansas City, Kan. ($3,388)
“Building Communities: Mexican-American Softball Leagues”
This research and oral history project documents the ways softball leagues built relationships and forged a shared identity among Mexican-American communities in Kansas, including Wyandotte County. Gene T. Chávez, project director.
Kansas African American Museum, Wichita ($3,466)
“Black and White Remember Together”
An oral history project to collect and share the memories of black and white students who experienced life in Wichita during the turbulent years of the late 1960s. Shenita Horton, project director.
Kauffman Museum, North Newton ($10,000)
“Sorting Out Race”
An exhibition and series of public programs uses thrift store objects as a starting point for conversations about race and racial identity. Annette LeZotte, project director.
Lecompton Historical Society ($3,495)
“Updating Artifact Records for Improved Exhibits and Programming”
A project to enhance exhibitions and public programming through research, documentation, and preservation of artifacts in the historical society’s collection. Lynn Ward, project director.
Miami County Conversation District, Paola ($10,000)
“Against the Grain”
This documentary short film explores the methods used by Kansas farm families to conserve natural resources. Amanda Hashagen, project director.
Wabaunsee County Historical Society, Alma ($9,961)
“Focus on History: The Photography and Films of Otto Kratzer”
An exhibition and public programs feature the photographs and films of Otto Kratzer, a Volland business owner whose work captured life in the Flint Hills community between 1905 and 1965. Greg Hoots, project director.
The Kansas Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization that supports community-based cultural programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities.
For more information, visit www.kansashumanities.org.
