Annual Meeting Honors

Daughters of the American Revolution Present Awards

Our Annual Meeting on April 23, 2023 had a few surprises! The William Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Regent, Marian Christy Nolan, nominated and presented the following DAR Awards:

Patsi Graham was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award. The Community Service Award is presented for outstanding voluntary service in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, citizenship, or environmental conservation endeavors. Patsi represents the substance of this award with her years of commitment to the Scott County Historical Society.

Dennie Siegrist was awarded the Excellence in Historic Preservation Medal. This award honors individuals who have saved and/or preserved their local history. Dennie has spent countless years preserving and telling the stories of peoples who called western Kansas their home.  His passion for native cultures is especially evident in his development of the guided Historical Bus Tours which take groups to Punished Woman's Fork National Historic Site, El Quartelejo Pueblo Site, Historic Lake Scott State Park, Little Jerusalem, Monument Rocks and Duff's Buffalo Ranch.

Jerry Thomas was awarded the prestigious National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Medal. Fewer than 30 Historic Preservation Medals are awarded nationwide each year following nomination by a state level DAR chapter.
"The Historic Preservation Medal recognizes and honors a person who has done extraordinary volunteer work over a long period of time in establishing a historic district, preserving landmarks, restoring, or preserving objects of historic cultural significance, or establishing or participating in oral history projects, youth leadership and education, as it pertains to historic preservation, at the state, regional, and/or national level. Mr. Thomas is that extraordinary person and he is most deserving of this recognition!
On behalf of the National Society as we 'Celebrate Stars & Stripes Forever' through Historic Preservation, we thank Jerry Thomas for his dedication to preserve for future generations the important history of the people of Kansas." Elizabeth Blake Hotchkiss, National Chairman, Historic Preservation Committee
-Photo courtesy of Rod Haxton, Editor of Scott County Record

Western K.S. (Kris Super) Fossil Lab

Fossil Lab has Grand Opening

The Western K.S. Fossil Lab held its GRAND OPENING on Saturday, April 29, 2023.  Kris Super cut the ribbon on the exhibit and working lab featuring the Elasmosaur he found in 2021.  Two years in the making, Kris was able to free the near 1,000 lb. chalk and body of this rare fossil last summer and with some strong community help, it made its way to El Quartelejo Museum.

Making this specimen more rare is the skull of the animal.  Thanks to the Scott County Hospital and Mark Burnett, the skull block was placed in their state-of-the-art CT-scanner.  What was revealed is a stunning find!  Few skulls of an elasmosaur have been found and fewer with their body, but this one is in amazing condition inside the Smoky Hill Chalk making it one of the most complete finds of an elasmosaur in Kansas and possibly beyond.

The lab is under the direction of Kris Super, local SCHS Science Teacher whose degree specialty is in Geology and Paleontology from Kansas University and Fort Hays State University where he has worked and contributed to their natural history museums including the Sternberg Museum.  Kris has made many other unique and incredible fossil finds that have led to study and publication.  You can learn more about Kris by visiting the lab!

Kris will be in throughout the summer working on the fossil, hosting workshops, and educating guests about this enormous project.

The In-Between Winter and Spring

As winter has given us a hint of spring we are looking forward to longer days of sunshine.   The promises of spring bring anticipation. Our calendar is filling up with programs, exhibits, and events. We are working to finalize times and dates but here is a rough draft:

We are full of anticipation as we finalize the exhibit panels for the Western K.S. Fossil Lab at El Quartelejo Museum. Kris Super has put together an incredible amount of information along with photos, historical drawings, relevant current events in order to tell his story and the story of the most complete elasmosaur found in Kansas (quite possibly in the world). The working lab will have beautiful exhibit and interpretive panels that are to arrive by the end of March. Our anticipated Grand Opening to the public will be in April.   No Foolin'!

April showers bring - Annual Meeting and Program:  Sunday, April 23 at 2:00 PM. This event includes a brief business meeting required for our organization and is open to all. You will hear updates on the museum and gallery and we also elect board members. If you are interested in serving as a board member, please contact us!

Our very special guest will be Marian Nolan. Marian serves as the Regent of the William Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She will be presenting     "Are you a Revolutionary?" You could find out! Join us and bring some family history. Marian and other William Wilson Members can show you how to trace your ancestors to 1776. We will have other special guests along with refreshments. It will be a wonderful and inspiring afternoon.

Marla Matkin will be returning to Scott City with her special story telling talent in May. Marla has written two historical fiction children's picture books that she will be sharing at Scott Count Library’s Storytime in May. Marla will have her books for sale as well as signing those at the library. That evening at 7:00 PM, she will present Women of the Santa Fe Trail at the museum and gallery. And, for those who have kids, grand kids, or are a kid at heart - Marla will have her children's books available as well. We will have the exact date soon - but free up your Tuesdays in May.

Kansas Archeology Training Program, June 2-18, 2023. June brings in the Summer Months and this year we are excited that it is bringing the Kansas Archeology Training Program, June 2- 18. This program is open to the public. Sign up today to dig a day or multiple days: https://kansashistoricalsociety.regfox.com/2023-katp-field-school

145^th Commemoration of Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork, Saturday - Sunday, September 23-24, 2023;   Join us and special guests for this commemortive weekend.  Saturday will include new exhbits and paintings by Jerry Thomas at the museum and gallery.  Sunday:  Walk with the Spirits is our annual commemoration at Punished Woman's Fork and will include a hike with historians followed by a dinner at Camp Christy with special guests.  More details, dinner ticket info coming soon.  Save the Date!

Artifact of the month - Vietnam Remembrance Day-March 29, 2023. The United States became increasingly involved in the Vietnam conflict in the early 1960s. Perhaps one of the most volatile moments in our recently history, the "conflict" escalated to war. Becoming a hotly debated topic, Vietnam defined a generation of politics, protests, and people. We honor those who found themselves in the midst of an Era and a History that should be remembered.  We would like to recognize our Vietnam Veterans with a special pin available at the museum and gallery.  Stop in today.