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
The Battle at Punished Woman's Fork was designated in 2007 as a historic location on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic event took place on September 28, 1878~~~the last major Indian battle in Kansas. The battle site is located just North of Scott City at the South edge of Scott Lake State Park. El Cuartelejo Archelogical District was placed on the Register much earlier, in 1966.
The Scott County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of the Scott County area and educating the community and visitors about the function of El Quartelejo Museum and the Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection.
Throughout the almost 90 year existence of SCHS, individuals, families, and businesses have supported the Historical Society’s efforts. These generous people help to continue the work of the Historical Society and assist in maintaining the building and grounds, keeping the facility open to the public, guiding group tours, hosting programs for all ages, and raising funds for improvements.
There are three membership categories:
Individual $10.00
Family $20.00
Business $50.00
The first meeting of the Scott County Historical Society was held on January 12, 1931. A number of Scott City, Kansas citizens and early settlers were interested in perpetuating the early history of Scott County and Western Kansas, which led them to meet at the old Steele home to make plans for a new organization.
The following officers were elected:
President: Elmer Epperson
Vice President: J.K. Freed
Secretary: Mrs. Clarence Dickhut
Treasurer: E.E. Coffin
For almost 90 years, Scott County residents have shared a common dream: to have a museum building in which to preserve and exhibit Scott County's rich and unique history. Thousands of hours from volunteers and the generous donations of Scott County residents and interested persons have kept the dream alive, and brought much of it to fulfillment. The work continues, with inspiration from those members who have watched the growth and development of the society and grounds for many years, and with the ideas and efforts of new advocates.
Those serving presently on the Board of Trustees of the Scott County Historical Society are:
Alan Graham President
Marilyn Dryer, Vice President
Ruth Dunn, Secretary
Ernie Smith, Treasurer
Pam Sourk
Jerry Thomas, Artist in Residence
Carol Trout
Barbara Wilkinson
Have an interest in serving as a Board Member? Contact us!
FALL INTO YOUR HISTORY
Welcome Fall and the wooshing wind that brings us to the Holidays!
We have been busy with the 145th Commemoration of the Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork and Sister City Celebration which took place the weekend of September 23-24, 2023. Festivities kicked off with our Northern Cheyenne and Military Family Guests arriving and having a personal gathering at the battle site. That was followed by a lunch generously provided by the First Christian Church Women. Jerry Thomas topped the afternoon with many unveilings in the gallery that included rare artifacts and paintings of historic importance and significance. Our day was rounded out with a Sister City Community Celebration, cookout, and Powwow. Photos of the events are below.
October was Membership Appreciation Month. We are so thankful for our members who support us throughout the year with their gifts of talent, volunteerism, dues, and donations. It means more than we can ever say in words! You ARE Scott County Historical Society!
Membership Appreciation Sunday was October 22nd and featured Troy Krehbiel. Troy presented a program about his experience as a Civil War and Frontier Soldier re-enactor. He gave us a show and tell of all the gear that would be carried. The great coat alone was almost 20 lbs.
ROAD CONTRUCTION: Part of our daily lives have been interrupted by the extensive road construction on 5th Street. We have had to be closed several days due to our entry being torn up. The construction company has been so wonderful to communicate with us on how things are going. They will soon be pouring our concrete and we anticipate another closure during that time and while it cures. Please feel free to call one of us to see if we are open!
We are hoping to have some Holiday Displays depending on our street access. Stay tuned.
Of course, we couldn’t do this without the support of our Community and Members! Thank you for your time, donations, and attendance.
Sunday, December 10th
4:00 PM—6:00 PM
Western KS Child Advocacy Center, 212 W. 5th Street
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and a great time to gather for celebrations!
We invite you to join us at a new venue for our Annual Sugar Plum Sale and Raffle
beginning at 4:00 PM.
This year includes a Free Will Donation Soup Supper at 5:00 PM.
Please note the change of location! We are hosting this year’s event at the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center at 212 E. 5th Street. Mostly due to road construction, but we are adding a wonderful opportunity for a larger raffle, silent auction, and Holiday social.
Enjoy a Holiday evening and support your Scott County Historical Society.
P.S. Do you have a favorite Christmas goodie, cake, or craft that you would like to share? We will be taking donations of homemade candies, goodies, etc for the Sugar Plum Sale as well as crafty items or another donation for our Raffle. Please contact us at 620-872-5912! Thank you!
Giving Day 2023
You can give to Scott County Historical Society on Giving Day AND through the end of the Year. Do you know that we are a 501(c)3? In addition to personal checks, we can receive IRA Charitable Distributions as well. Your gifts are always tax deductible. We can take your donations here at the museum and gallery OR you can mail your gift to
Scott County Historical Society, P.O. Box 155, Scott City, KS 67871 OR give to our fund at SCF online: https://scottcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1077
We are looking to raise $5,000 to Preserve, Protect, and Promote Your History!
Your membership keeps us going! Share the value of your membership by inviting a new member to Scott County Historical Society this year!
What is the value of membership?
· Keeps our story and the history of the High Plains of Western Kansas alive.
· Helps us bring programs and exhibits that enhance culture and the quality of life in our community.
· Supports our educational institutions through school tours, outreach, and programming.
Membership Benefits:
· Monthly Newsletter.
· Be the first to know and receive exclusive invitations to members only events.
· Members’ only discounts.
Invite someone today to be part of our story!
Scott County Historical Society began in 1931 with a vision to preserve the history of our founders. Your El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection contain the mission, purpose, and vision or our founding. That bedrock is our foundation for future generations.
Pictures from our 145th Commemoration of the Battle of punished woman’s fork and Sister City Celebration
The weekend of September 23-24, 2023 made history in Scott County with the arrival of our new Sister City, the Northern Cheyenne Nation. Scott City welcomed President Serena Wetherelt, V.P. Ernest Little Mouth, Tribal Liaison Conrad Fisher, and many other members of the Northern Cheyenne and Military families for a commemoration as well as a celebration.
Thank you to ALL who made our Weekend a grand success:
Scott County Historical Society
City of Scott City
Scott City Travel and Tourism
Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce
Humanities KS
Scott City Scouts & Kevin Hall
Scott City Law Enforcement
Scott County Record - Rod & Kathy Haxton
Historic Lake Scott State Park
El Quartelejo Best Western
David Clinton - Freedom Construction
Chad and Suzanne Griffith
Scott City VIPs - Larry Hoeme
First Christian Church Women
The Cooks: Kyle Lausch, Bill John, Jace McKinney, et al
Scott Co-op - Jason Baker
Duff’s Buffalo Ranch - Richard Duff
HRC Feeders & Percival’s
White’s Foodliner
Jim Talbert & Sara Ratzlaff, Official Photography/Videography
Scott City Shriners - Gene Juno
Warren Harkness, FBO
Scott County Fairgrounds - Jeff & Karen Pounds
William Wilson Chapter DAR
Cookie Bakers & Countless Volunteers
FALL INTO YOUR HISTORY
Welcome Fall and the wooshing wind that brings us to the Holidays!
We have been busy with the 145th Commemoration of the Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork and Sister City Celebration which took place the weekend of September 23-24, 2023. Festivities kicked off with our Northern Cheyenne and Military Family Guests arriving and having a personal gathering at the battle site. That was followed by a lunch generously provided by the First Christian Church Women. Jerry Thomas topped the afternoon with many unveilings in the gallery that included rare artifacts and paintings of historic importance and significance. Our day was rounded out with a Sister City Community Celebration, cookout, and Powwow. Photos of the events are below.
October was Membership Appreciation Month. We are so thankful for our members who support us throughout the year with their gifts of talent, volunteerism, dues, and donations. It means more than we can ever say in words! You ARE Scott County Historical Society!
Membership Appreciation Sunday was October 22nd and featured Troy Krehbiel. Troy presented a program about his experience as a Civil War and Frontier Soldier re-enactor. He gave us a show and tell of all the gear that would be carried. The great coat alone was almost 20 lbs.
ROAD CONTRUCTION: Part of our daily lives have been interrupted by the extensive road construction on 5th Street. We have had to be closed several days due to our entry being torn up. The construction company has been so wonderful to communicate with us on how things are going. They will soon be pouring our concrete and we anticipate another closure during that time and while it cures. Please feel free to call one of us to see if we are open!
We are hoping to have some Holiday Displays depending on our street access. Stay tuned.
Of course, we couldn’t do this without the support of our Community and Members! Thank you for your time, donations, and attendance.
|
Sunday, December 10th
4:00 PM—6:00 PM
Western KS Child Advocacy Center, 212 W. 5th Street
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and a great time to gather for celebrations!
We invite you to join us at a new venue for our Annual Sugar Plum Sale and Raffle
beginning at 4:00 PM.
This year includes a Free Will Donation Soup Supper at 5:00 PM.
Please note the change of location! We are hosting this year’s event at the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center at 212 E. 5th Street. Mostly due to road construction, but we are adding a wonderful opportunity for a larger raffle, silent auction, and Holiday social.
Enjoy a Holiday evening and support your Scott County Historical Society.
P.S. Do you have a favorite Christmas goodie, cake, or craft that you would like to share? We will be taking donations of homemade candies, goodies, etc for the Sugar Plum Sale as well as crafty items or another donation for our Raffle. Please contact us at 620-872-5912! Thank you!
Giving Day 2023
You can give to Scott County Historical Society! At the Scott Community Foundation or online: https://scottcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1077
We are looking to raise $5,000 to Preserve, Protect, and Promote Your History!
Your membership keeps us going! Share the value of your membership by inviting a new member to Scott County Historical Society this year!
What is the value of membership?
· Keeps our story and the history of the High Plains of Western Kansas alive.
· Helps us bring programs and exhibits that enhance culture and the quality of life in our community.
· Supports our educational institutions through school tours, outreach, and programming.
Membership Benefits:
· Monthly Newsletter.
· Be the first to know and receive exclusive invitations to members only events.
· Members’ only discounts.
Invite someone today to be part of our story!
Scott County Historical Society began in 1931 with a vision to preserve the history of our founders. Your El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection contain the mission, purpose, and vision or our founding. That bedrock is our foundation for future generations.
Pictures from our 145th Commemoration of the Battle of punished woman’s fork and Sister City Celebration
The weekend of September 23-24, 2023 made history in Scott County with the arrival of our new Sister City, the Northern Cheyenne Nation. Scott City welcomed President Serena Wetherelt, V.P. Ernest Little Mouth, Tribal Liaison Conrad Fisher, and many other members of the Northern Cheyenne and Military families for a commemoration as well as a celebration.
Thank you to ALL who made our Weekend a grand success:
Scott County Historical Society
City of Scott City
Scott City Travel and Tourism
Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce
Humanities KS
Scott City Scouts & Kevin Hall
Scott City Law Enforcement
Scott County Record - Rod & Kathy Haxton
Historic Lake Scott State Park
El Quartelejo Best Western
David Clinton - Freedom Construction
Chad and Suzanne Griffith
Scott City VIPs - Larry Hoeme
First Christian Church Women
The Cooks: Kyle Lausch, Bill John, Jace McKinney, et al
Scott Co-op - Jason Baker
Duff’s Buffalo Ranch - Richard Duff
HRC Feeders & Percival’s
White’s Foodliner
Jim Talbert & Sara Ratzlaff, Official Photography/Videography
Scott City Shriners - Gene Juno
Warren Harkness, FBO
Scott County Fairgrounds - Jeff & Karen Pounds
William Wilson Chapter DAR
Cookie Bakers & Countless Volunteers