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Transcript of Legacy Fall 2012
T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E R E N O C O U N T Y H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
22have a “spooktacular”ride that windsunderground!
13want to go
huntingfor rocks
that “speak?”
Legacyh
FALL 2012
the hutchinson fire department boasts a rich heritage. see more on page 4.
DON’T MISS
SPOOKTA
CULA
R
I N S I D E
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HISTORICAL SOCIETY STAFF (full-time)
Linda Schmitt, executive director, rchs [email protected]
Jamin Landavazo, chief curator, rchs [email protected]
Gayle Ferrell, director of operations, kusm [email protected] Tonya Gehring, docent supervisor, kusm [email protected]
Mike Allen, finance manager, rchs [email protected]
Dave Unruh, maintenance supervisor, kusm [email protected]
Lynn Ledeboer, curatorial assistant, rcm [email protected]
Tina Moore, administrative assistant, rcm [email protected]
Kourtney Krehbiel, visitor services, kusm [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael Armour, president • Charles Studt, treasurer
Shannon Holmberg, secretary • Richard Shank, president-
elect • Nan Hawver • Barbara Withrow • John Doswell
Tim Davies • Sherry Mundhenke • Patty Foss • Elaine Fallon
Billy Klug • Mary Wilson • Conrad Koehler • Myron Marcotte,
ex-officio • Lee Spence, ex-officio • Mike Carey, ex-officio
4 battling the blazes ...rich heritage uncovered in photo cache
13 kusm expands the adventure ...help spread the word!
14 overnight scouting ...and it’s all underground!
17 more supporters join rchs cause ...they make it all happen
18 endowment to ensure the future ...and keep our museums strong
19 fire memorabilia runs the gamut ...from firebugs to escape devices
22 spooktacular madness in the mine ...check out these fantastical events 23 don’t miss special christmas plans ...crafts, cookies and creativity
Volume 24, No. 4Legacy is published quarterly by The Reno County Historical Society, Inc. 100 S. Walnut St., P.O. Box 664, Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-0664For advertising or membership information, call 620-662-1184.
© 2012 The Reno County Historical Society, Inc. ISSN 1045-3423All rights reserved. The RCHS disclaims responsibility for statements
of fact or opinion made by contributors.
THE JOURNAL OF THE RENO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Legacyh
on the coverfirefighters sit atopa horse-drawn fire truck in front of hutchinson fire department station #1 thatis adorned with bunting.
I
4
firefighters and others look out through a house devastated by fire, above.
the photos donated by the hutchinsonfire department have been added to reno county museum archives, and will be used for future research and ex-hibits. our “legacy” readers, however, are getting the first sneak peak! we don’t have spe-cific information for many of these photos, but if we do have hints or dates, they are indicated in the caption.
FIRE!...and those who fought it
By Jamin Landavazo, Chief Curator
rose from my chair as
the doorbell made a soft
“ding” to alert the staff
that a visitor had just
walked into the muse-
um on that cold January
day. We try our hardest
to greet every visitor that
comes into the museum
personally, to make sure
their needs are met and
they find a welcoming
place to explore.
As I made my way down
the steps from the office
area into the lobby, I
found a handful of fire-
fighters had just walked
in. They were dressed
in blue polo shirts and
slacks – not yellow hard-
hats and boots – so I
didn’t worry that they had
come because of a fire
in the museum that had
gone undetected.
I figured that we were
due for our annual
inspection, or perhaps
they had just stopped by
to look around; after all,
we often see them pass
through the museum’s
courtyard since Fire
Station #1 is located just
5
(See AVOID, page 6)
a treasure trove of hfdclippings and
photos
across the street.
On this day, however,
they had a different agen-
da. Battalion Chief Rex
Albright stepped forward
to shake my hand; in his
other arm he cradled a
slim, tan filing box.
He explained that when
cleaning out the station,
they had found the box
and thought we might be
interested in taking a look
inside. When Battal-
ion Chief Albright
opened the box,
I had no idea
what might
lie inside, but
I was certainly
excited.
The box did not disap-
point. Photos and news-
paper clippings came
spilling out even before
the box was open all the
way, and I immediately
saw treasures.
He explained that this
box held items that had
been gathered and packed
away throughout the
years – newspaper clip-
pings, official group pho-
tos, snapshots and more.
There were even items
related to the police de-
partment that had made
their way into the mix.
FACING A DILEMMA
As he spoke, he hit
upon a dilemma that
many people and organi-
zations encounter – they
want to know the best
way to preserve the items
from the past for the
future.
Just then, the
alarm sounded
from the fire
station across
the street, and
the firefight-
ers sprang into
action. They knew
that they were needed,
but as Albright grabbed
the box and sprinted out
the door, he yelled over
his shoulder, “I’ll be back!”
They were back a couple
of weeks later, and had
decided that what they
really wanted to preserve
were copies of the materi-
als they had found. They
donated the originals to
the museum so that we
could preserve and protect
them, but also make them
available so that the whole
community could benefit
from the items that had
been hidden for many
years.
townspeople join
firefighters in
this WP & CO fire
truck in what
may have been a
special community
event.
ten men, right, stand in
front of a hutchinson
fire truck. the photo
is signed by
“garrett.”
(Continued from page 5)
a firefighter drives an open-top fire truck
with part of the hood propped up.
6
Avoid extreme environmental swings PRESERVATION TIPS
We understand that
not everyone is ready to
donate the photos and
memorabilia that they
have collected throughout
the years – and we prob-
ably don’t have room to
store everyone’s lifelong
memories.
However, if you are
just as concerned about
preserving your memories
as our local fire depart-
ment, there are certain
things that everyone can
do to make sure that their
photos last for generations
to come.
DO:n Keep the temperature and humidity constant. Studies abound about
the proper temperature
and humidity storage
conditions for photos. It is
true that often museums
employ special environ-
mentally controlled zones
to store images.
Often, this level of devo-
tion is not possible or eco-
nomical for family snap-
shots. But luckily there is
a much more manageable
way to preserve your pho-
tos that is almost as effec-
tive: Just control drastic
environmental swings.
Although extreme tem-
peratures and humidity
do cause deterioration,
it is rapid fluctuations in
temperature and humidity
that cause a majority of
take steps
to preserve your
family photos for
generations to come.
7
three firefighters on the stairs battle thick, dark smoke
in this house fire in march, 1967, at 504 E. avenue c.
below, fire trucks leave station #1. convention hall can
be seen in the background.
a fire truck
shoots water on
the blaze that
demolished the
historic bisonte
hotel on march 1,
1965.
problems. If you are not
able to keep your photos
at a cool 50-55 degrees
F, but are able to keep
them around 72 degrees
F year-round (with slight
seasonal variations), it will
certainly preserve them
better than keeping them
in a building where tem-
peratures are at the mercy
of the weather.
A good rule of thumb is
that for every 10 degrees
F increase in tempera-
ture, deterioration roughly
doubles. Even if you can’t
see any evidence on the
photos with the naked
eye, chemical changes
are happening at a micro-
scopic level. So don’t take
any chances.
n Back them up All of us have seen vid-
eos of people after major
natural disasters, scour-
ing the remnants of their
houses and looking
desperately for photos
– tangible reminders of
their memories.
Whether you’re wor-
ried about a natural di-
saster, theft or destruc-
tion, you will be able to
rest easier if your photos
have been backed up.
What exactly does that
mean? In the simplest
terms, it means having
another copy in one form
or another. This can
mean that you keep a film
negative when you have
already made a print of an
image, or it can mean that
you make a digital scan
of an image for which you
have no film negative.
It can mean that you
back up digital photo-
graphs to “the cloud”
(data storage provided
(See STAY, page 8)
8
(Continued from page 7)
Stay organized
the “h.f.d no.1” sign is in decorative glass above the open garage door
with back of fire truck in view.
on massive servers, often
at multiple locations, by
companies for a fee) or
that you copy them to a
CD, jump drive or SD card
(the type used in many
digital cameras).
If you have photos that
are particularly import-
ant or irreplaceable, you
might want to store one
copy in a fireproof safe or
safe deposit box.
If you are using digi-
tal back-ups, you may
have to migrate to other
file types or media in the
future. If CDs go the way
of floppy disks, you may
find it hard to locate the
hardware you need to
read them in the future.
Find an organization-
al system that works for
you. Many options are out
there to help you organize
your photos. You can go
high-tech and sort dig-
ital photos in folders by
date or event, or low-tech
and place prints in photo
albums.
You can spend money
to have your photos made
into books by online com-
panies, or you can utilize
low-cost photo boxes that
store large quantities of
photos in a smaller space
than albums.
Whatever you choose, I
encourage you to employ
some organizational struc-
ture, if only to promote
access to your photos.
You and your family are
much more likely to pull
an album from a shelf or
scroll through a folder if
there’s a good chance you
can easily find what you
are seeking.
u
9
military fire-fighters prepare to protect people and property in this april 13,
1945, photo.
(See SAY, page 10)
If you have hundreds
or thousands of photos,
organizing them might
seem like a daunting task.
I encourage you to start
now, however, because
chances are you will con-
tinue to add to the photos
you already have and the
job will continue to grow.
Start with a small pile
here and there while
you are watching TV or
waiting for the laundry to
finish drying. The sense
of accomplishment will be
great, and you will be one
step closer to sharing and
passing on mean-
ingful photos to
your friends and
family.
n Handle with care At museums,
photos are often
handled with white gloves
to prevent the oils from
people’s fingertips from
depositing on the prints.
While this may be overkill
when dealing with family
photos, some caution is
still necessary.
Handle prints and neg-
atives with clean hands
and along the edges to
minimize fingerprints.
Use albums or protective
coverings for photos that
will be accessed often.
Use caution when
selecting plastic sheets
for albums or individual
photos as many can
degrade over time and
cause damage to photos.
n Label the back This suggestion is con-
troversial, so weigh the
pros and cons carefully
before you decide what is
best for your photos.
Advocates of labeling
photos say that all too of-
ten, the information about
the people or places in a
photo is not passed down
with it. If it is written on
a piece of paper included
with an album, for exam-
ple, it can become
dissociated or lost.
With that infor-
mation gone, the
photo loses much
of its value. On
the other hand,
labeling photos
the dented front end of this fire truck draws close scrutiny. the vehicle appar-ently fell victim to a fender-bender in march, 1963.
10
Say “no” to these common mistakes
(Continued from page 9)
note the firefighters
smoking while putting
out the fire.
does alter and sometimes
permanently damages
them.
Many photos that have
come to the museum bear
the marks of people who
– with the best of inten-
tions – labeled the front of
a large group portrait with
the names written in ball-
point pen, often obscuring
parts of people in the pho-
to or causing deep creases
or small tears in the photo
from pressing too hard.
Other photos have names
written on the back with
a marker and, over time,
the ink leeches through to
the front of the image.
If you do decide to label
photos, we suggest using
a soft pencil to write near
the bottom edge of the
photo, and be careful not
to press too hard.
DO NOT:n Roll, fold or otherwise bend your photos It is often tempting
to roll longer panoramic
photos for easy storage,
fold the edge of a photo to
fit into a frame, or disre-
gard a small corner that
has been bent behind the
photo in an album.
The truth is, all these
methods can lead to per-
manent damage.
Folds and bends create
weaknesses that can lead
to cracks in the image or
tears in the print.
Rolling a photo can of-
ten be difficult or impos-
sible to reverse without
causing damage, especial-
ly if the rolled print has
aged considerably.
Rolled photos that do
not exhibit signs of crack-
ing, brittleness or other
damage can sometimes be
flattened by placing large
books or weights on them
for a prolonged period of
time.
Sometimes other
methods, such as gen-
tle humidification, are
faces from the past
eerily peek out from
the rolled-up photos,
right, presented to
the museum by the
hutchinson fire
department.
(See GUARD, page 12)
11
it appears as if equipment
is being tested as the fire
truck ladder is extended
high into the air in this
november, 1960, photo.
needed. Humidification
should only be attempted
by professionals as it can
often cause more damage
to fragile photos.
n Use adhesives Although fewer are
made today, self-adhe-
sive photo albums were
once a popular choice for
holding prints and other
paper documents firmly
in a book, while allowing
them to be repositioned if
necessary.
Over time, however, the
prints will pick up the
adhesive and it can leech
through the paper. At the
very least, when a print
is removed, it is likely
to leave adhesive on the
back of the print that is
difficult to safely remove.
The same can be said
for double-stick tape,
school glue, glue sticks or
any other type of adhe-
sive. Most will discolor
AND lose their effective-
ness over time – another
reason to avoid them.
Instead, choose albums
with individual sleeves for
photos, or use archival
photo corners, which have
adhesive on them but
allow the photo itself to
float free.
Avoid paper clips, bind-
er clips and rubber bands.
If you choose not to use
albums, you might be
drawn to dividing your
photos with one of these
methods to help organize
them – but just say no!
Paper clips and binder
clips exert pressure on the
photos, often scratching
them or leaving “dent”
marks. If they get wet or
deteriorate, they can rust
and leave stains on your
photos.
Rubber bands also exert
pressure, mainly on the
edges. When they dete-
riorate, they can become
either brittle or sticky –
neither of which is good
for your photos.
12
(Continued from page 11)
h
Paper strips wrapped
around groups of photos
and labeling them with
the date or event, or plac-
ing the photos in folders
or envelopes to keep them
separated can be good
alternatives.
n Store them in a base-ment or attic The temperature and
humidity fluctuations
discussed above aren’t the
only reason to shy away
from storage in attics and
basements. They can also
be the areas most likely
to flood or house pests,
which make them less
than ideal storage spaces
for treasured
images.
Instead, try
to place photos
on the main
floor both for
preservation
purposes and
because you
might be more
likely to look at them if
they are within arm’s
reach.
n Expose them to light Light – whether artificial
or from the sun– is one
of the greatest enemies of
prints.
Luckily, there are also
easy ways to protect your
images from this deterio-
ration. Store any photos
that you can out of direct
sunlight or overhead light.
Photo albums and boxes
are great for safeguarding
photos from light.
For those prints that
you just must display
(after all, that’s part of the
reason we take them!),
either print an extra copy
just for display, or take
advantage of new frames
that use glass with a UV
coating to block many of
the harmful rays that can
destroy your photos.
sharon mckee sits atop
a fire truck in the 1961
parade celebrating
hutchinson’s centennial.
Guard from light
a wichita kwch-tv
reporter, right, inter-
views a hutchinson
firefighter for the
camera while anoth-
er firefighter on the
truck looks on.
13
W
Check this out!…lots at KUSM to trip your wire
rock hunterscomb through piles of salt rocks in the mine during kusm’s “red rock-tober.” the annual event gives participants the chance to look for – and keep – those rocks that “speak”to them.
By Gayle Ferrell, KUSM Director of Operations
E’RE FUN! WE’RE EXCITING!! WE’RE AN ADVENTURE!!! I have to admit that those words were never ones that I associated with a stop at a museum. Nor did I ever dream that those were words I would someday use to describe a museum where I work! I was never interested in stopping at museums when I passed through small towns or big cities, whether in a car or on a motorcycle. If it had the word “museum” on the building, I wasn’t thrilled about spending any time in some stuffy old boring
place. Now if this so-called “museum” had a cool name or eye-catching street appeal that made me think I might get to
SEE or DO something special, well, then I want-ed to check it out. KANSAS UNDER-GROUND SALT MUSE-UM. Does the name grab your attention? Perhaps the word “underground” makes you wonder – is it
a museum about under-ground salt? How could that be interesting! Or does it mean that the museum might be under-ground. Like in a base-ment or in a cave. Except looking at the building, you can’t see a big opening for a cave en-trance. In fact, it is pretty plain and uninteresting on a corner with no trees or grass. So what would make you check it out?? For more than five years, we have been trying to dispel the image that it
(See page 14)
where’s the cave entrance??
14
an actor entertainsthe crowd in one of the popular “murderin the mine” dinnertheatres.
(See page 16)
is scary, claustrophobic, dark or dangerous. Now don’t get me wrong – those are all important concerns to address so that visitors will come in the front doors. But we may have overlooked an even more important message – how this place makes one FEEL!!!
TIME STANDS STILL Our “negative six-fifty” is where time stands still. Two hours go by as fast as 30 minutes. There is a soothing calmness that is unlike anywhere else. The salt walls and pillars seem to embrace me like a soft co-coon and whisper to me of survival and endurance. It is my refuge where perspective is gained and my head is temporarily cleared. It is a thrill for me each and every time I step off the hoist, but our goal here is for each visitor, if possible, to discover his or her own personal connec-tion to the ageless Perm-ian Sea. So take that feeling a few steps further and picture Red Rock-tober, our annual rock hunt out
into the mine. It is BYOB – Bring Your Own Bucket – and participants get the chance to spend a couple hours looking through pile after pile of salt rocks for those
pieces that speak to them. There is nothing but you and the salt, and a bucket and flashlight. Time stops. Hunters become totally absorbed in their quests. There is little conversation as lights flicker and move over the mounds. Take the Salt Mine Express under-ground train ride. Literal-ly, take a train ride! This is not stuffy muse-um stuff! This is a journey into a raw and basically untouched area of our salt mine that is seen as it was left in the 1950s! To top it off, the train glides over rails and ties that were actually used to haul salt
to the skip as early as the 1920s! Or will it be the Dark Ride that connects you to the salt – enjoying a quiet ride with a tour guide as you learn about salt formations, air flow and discovery of this salt bed, then stopping to choose your very own souvenir piece of salt.
Have you experi-enced one of our
Murder in the Mine dinner theatres? Held under-ground in the
Event Center with new flushing
restrooms nearby, this interactive whodun-it is funny, relaxing and definitely unique. Whether you choose to attend in a theme-based costume (“Who Killed the 80s?” “Clue-less,” “A Very Brady Murder,” “The Spy Who Killed Me”) or just enjoy how others get
lots tothrill crowds
where timestands still
(Continued from page 13)
hutchinson salt employee willie rodriguez, right, is interviewed for the upcoming exhibit, “a miner’s life.”
OVERNIGHT SCOUTINGAT KUSM
• boys: nov. 10, dec. 8, jan. 12• boys’ geology merit badge: nov. 3, jan. 26 and feb. 2• girls: dec. 1, march 2
call tonya orkourtney
620-662-1425
15
16 h
this ominous-appearingroof sag is a feature one may see on “salt
safari” tours that start in 2014.
(Continued from page 14)
creative, it is always good food and lots of laughs. Perhaps you will be drawn to our next new exhibit, “A Miner’s Life.” You will see and hear miners tell in their own words what draws them back to the mine day after day and year after year. A sampling of awards and trophies given and received by Carey Salt and Hutchinson Salt over the past 90 years will also be on display. This exhibit will grow and expand in pieces for at least a year.
Or maybe you have been waiting for the ulti-mate adventure, the Salt Safari. Coming later in 2013, this hike into the mine will only be offered a few times each month. Adventure-seekers who have yearned for “more” and are physically able to walk more than a mile on rough, uneven and unlit terrain will not want to miss this opportunity!
The “Submarine” and “Tombstone” are two of many stops in this two- to three-hour experience. Now I know that I am “preachin’ to the choir,” because if you are reading this article you have prob-ably already visited us at least once. So I am asking the choir to preach to the congre-gation, ‘cuz they are all still sittin’ in the pews, all comfortable with their arms crossed and their feet up, thinking there is nothing here for them. They may be thinking that the Salt Museum is great for school field trips. And they would be right! But it is so much more!
IT’S UP TO YOU! Although we are drool-ing over a large LED screen that could be installed on our “blah” corner to showcase our museum as more of a fun adventure, the bottom line is that until we have the megabucks to buy it, you telling others what you’ve seen or heard or read could send people here searching for their own connection to the salt. This will open doors and opportunities for us to grow. It also will fulfill our mission: “…[to] provide a unique, entertaining and educational underground experience for visitors from around the world.”
as the poet pablo
neruda said in
his ode to salt:
“i know you won’t
believe me but it
sings, salt sings.”
drop in sometime
and see if you can
hear it, too.
17
insight, innovation, integrity. . .every day
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That legacy has made us who we are today – trusted legal advisors to local, national and international businesses, governmental entities and people in our own community.
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www.martindell.comHutchinson 20 Compound Drive | 620-662-3331
Cimarron 107 South Main | 620-855-7051
A hearty welcome to all the new members of Reno County Historical Society, and a heartfelt thank you to all those who renewed between June 1 and Octo-ber 10.
FRIENDSWhitey & Shirley AlpersAngeline “KiKi” CapponyMary Alice DitgenSally Holmes McPhersonJudith MielkeJames & LaVerna ShawMr. & Mrs. J.B. StuckyClark & Charlene WesleyCleyton & Laura Yowell
SUPPORTERS*Susan ClemensRichard & Marcia Cooper*Somnath Dasgupta*Pupan K. Dev
Bob & Sharon DeVaultRichard & Jane Falter*Arlene Frederiksen*Shane George*Gary HackneyGreg Hoefer*Linford HoldemanKyle & Shannon Holmberg*Daniel HoltmanJack & Ginger KoellingRon & Joleen Leslie*Ron MooreDr. & Mrs. Robert MorrisonJack & Jeanette Mull*Jim & Viola O’Connell*Ronald & Judith O’HaraSam & Judy OntjesDr. David & Nancy Richman*Julie Robinette*Tammy Root*Rebecca Rothe*Dilrukshan Silva*Ahmad Vaqar
Dr. Michael WesleyRobert & June Winslow*Jill Zeger
BACKERSFrank & Sally DepenbuschRoger & Judy HawkGary & Sue PolteraVirginia RaylBob & Charlotte Summers
PRESERVERMerl Sellers
DONORS’ CIRCLEAdvertising Specialties*Ball Doctor Pro ShopBridgman Oil Co., Inc.Shep Chev, Inc.*Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
DIRECTORS’ CIRCLEBank of Kansas * New member
Thank you, supporters
I
18
We’re proud to share our hometown with you.How fortunate we are to live in a community with such diverse and high quality amenities -- including the Reno County Museum and Kansas Underground Salt Museum!
4 Hutchinson locations to serve you
IT’S CALLED
REVITALIZATION...AND A SECURE FUTURE
t’s hard to believe that I have been at the Reno County Historical Society and its museums for six years. So much has happened that to think about it all makes it seem much longer in some ways and shorter in others. At the Kansas Under-
ground Salt Museum, we’ve made great strides since the modest opening five and a half years ago. Without a visitor center, underground bathrooms or train, the museum was in debt and struggling. The same can be said about the Reno Coun-ty Museum. For years it had fallen behind because of the demands of salt museum development. This led to debt, a maintenance crisis in 2009, and shelves full of unprocessed arti-facts. It took diligent staff and many
volunteers to begin to turn things around for the museums. Today both are debt-free and living within their means. At RCM, the backlog is caught up and we are col-lecting again. In 2011 and 2012 a total of 15 exhibits were created – 13 of which were placed at locations in the county. Because of community support, new signage will greet visitors at outdoor exhibits to provide better interpretation than ever before. A special source of pride for our staff was RCM’s involve-ment in the removal and replacement of the Con-vention/Memorial Hall Time Capsule in 2011 and 2012. This afforded a rare opportunity to revisit the past and send a message into the future that was inspirational for many. Watch for three new exhibits at RCM in 2013 that will include a travel-ing exhibit, tools and my
personal favorite – jewelry! At KUSM the progress in only five years has been astounding due to generous donors, the quarter-cent sales tax, thousands of enthusiastic visitors and careful man-agement of resources. The underground bathroom complex is now finished. As a result, our visitors can now stay
underground longer in comfort, and the Event Center can host almost any kind of occasion, regardless of how
grand. The Salt Mine
Express underground train added a third unique attraction to round out the Gallery and Dark Ride experiences. Changes were made to empower KUSM visitors to personalize their under-ground experience and go at their own pace. The next year we’ll see the opening of another new exhibit, “A Miner’s Life,” that will explore
museums
thriving with
promise of bright
future
martha slater farrell and cris ary of first gener-ation video inter-view hutchinson salt general laborer willie miller for the upcoming exhibit, “a miner’s life.”
h
Linda SchmittExecutive Director,
Reno County Historical
Society
new signage will provide more comprehensiveinformation at the siegrist claim house.
what it’s like to be a salt miner working under-ground every day and why so many stay with the mine for decades. Future plans include a geology exhibit and an adventure hike out into the mine itself. Be sure to read Gayle Ferrell’s article in this Legacy for the ex-citing details! It has been a challenge to get where we are today. The Time Capsule proj-ect brought home to me the importance of perma-nency and sustainability. This is why I will be shift-ing my focus for the next year to establishing secure
and permanent funding for the museums. To this end, the Permian Salt Fund Endowment has been set up at the Hutchinson Community Foundation. By 2025, we hope that 20 percent of KUSM operations will be funded from endowment interest.
LOOKING AHEAD Just as our salt from the Permian Sea is time-less, people far into the future should have the opportunity to experience this incredible under-ground space. RCM is charged with
safeguarding and preserv-ing Reno County history for generations to come. Planned giving must also be part of its future if it is to be secure. One hundred years from now, when the time capsule is opened, it is my hope that those who catch a glimpse into Hutchin-son’s past through the artifacts safely tucked inside, will recognize not only the continued strength and importance of our two museums, but also how the citizens of the 21st century made their vitality and longevity a reality.
please help make this vision
of the future a reality by
remembering the museums
in your estate plans and
charitable gifts.
f
FIRE!...and the tools to fight it
Fire! That yell and the clanging bell caused much terror in the hearts of every Reno County pioneer. Even today with our technological advances and improved building materials, fire wields the same power to both capti-vate and frighten. The Reno County Muse-um has many fire-related items in its collection. Here are but a few that represent our ongoing love/hate relationship with fire.
this pyrene fire extinguisher and holder, copyright 1917, was meant to hang on a wall or in a vehicle. 2003.00.150
this bright-eyed patch was worn by the midian firebugs, a volunteer fire organization that owner dale hobbs belonged to around 1970. 1997.18.16
some lucky child played with this fire truck from the 1950s. 1993.83.01
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this brass bell was used on hutchinson’s first fire truckpurchased in 1906. 1989.116.01
davy’s automatic safety fire escape, circa 1910, was promoted as the best ever. 1985.00.2385
800-760-5315 620-662-5315
this hat, with detail at far right, readily identi-fied firefighters around 1970. 2006.09.03
tetco extingisher, circa 1939, above, was found in the partridge post office. 1999.45.02
the merlite fire alarm system, above right, kept homes safe around 1950. 1995.56.03
the 7-inch brass pyrene extinguisher, right, was used in the johnson and sons funeral home ambulance around 1930. 1988.107.03
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KANSAS UNDERGROUNDSALT MUSEUM
9 am–5 pm Tues–Sat 1–5 pm Sunday
closed Mondaysexcept for special
holiday tours
last tour departsat 3 pm each day.
reservations strongly recommended
call us or check our website for holiday
hours.
NEW SALT BLAST PASSour best deal
includes gallery tour,dark ride (both handi-
capped-accessible) and new train ride.
adults: $19seniors (60+) and aaa: $17
children (4-12) & members: $12.50
reno county residents: $14
children under 4 not admitted
due to mine safetyregulations.
pricing availableto add only dark ride
or train ride togallery admission.
all prices include sales tax.
special pricing forgroups over 28 and school groups witharrangements made
one week in advance.
3504 e. avenue g (at airport road)
hutchinson, ks 67501
620-662-1425toll-free 866-755-3450
Miners’ Trash Display
See this fascinating new display case of items left behind by miners. It’s a preview of the larger Min-ers’ Break Room exhibit coming later.
salT Mine express
Hurry aboard to ride the thrilling new underground train on the original rails and ties used underground.
salT secreTs Salt secrets exposed!
KANSAS UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM EVENTS
perMian playgrounD Go interactive and explore the incredible varieties of salt. First hand!
Mine corriDor Explore the general history of salt mining in Hutchinson.
The ioDine Deficiency DisorDer sTory Explore the efforts of Kiwanis International and UNICEF in using salt to combat IDD.
KUSM EXHIBITS
spookTacular Deal& celebraTionSunday, October 28, from 1-6 p.m.Rides depart every 20 minutesLast tour departs at 4 p.m.Walk-ins welcome, but reservationguarantees you a seat.620-662-1425 • 866-755-3450
Get a Salt Blast Pass for just $10 when you come wearing a Halloween costume! That’s up to a $9 saving per person and includes both the Salt Mine Express train and Dark Ride!
Everyone must wear a hard hat underground. You must remove your mask if you wear one, and no make-up is allowed above your brow line.
“Mayan MaDness in The Mine”Dinner TheaTre Friday, December 21$60 per person / Table of eight: $440Doors open at 5 p.m.Last trip underground: 6:15 p.m.For details and reservations:620-662-1425 • 866-755-3450
On December 21, the Mayan calendar comes to an end, marking the end of the world. What better place to be than 650 feet underground! Only 200 will survive! (This adults-only [18+] event strictly limited to 200 paid reservations. Tables must be purchased by one person. Full price charged if one or more cancels. Price includes meal, theater production, access to Gallery and Gift Shop, plus the chance to win survival prizes!)
A
Take iT wiTh a grain of salT Discover how live bacteria were extracted from ancient Permian salt.
MyronMobile
Come see the “Myronmobile,” from TV’s “Dirty Jobs,” filmed in the Hutchinson Salt mine.
The sTory of unDer-grounD VaulTs & sTorage View costumes and props from your favorite movies.
A
see belowfor more
info...
EXHIBITS & EVENTS
Underground scouting details, page 14.
sold out!waiting list only. watch for the next“murder.”
SOLD OUT!
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Hail to tHe Hall: 100 Years of Convention Hall This exhibit traces the history of Convention Hall and officially displays the items from the Conven-tion/Memorial Hall 1911 time capsule box.
Don’t missRCM events
RENO COUNTYMUSEUM HOURS
9 am–5 pm tues-Fri
11-5 saturday
closed sunday
and monday
free admission
unless
otherwise
noted
100 S. Walnut
620-662-1184
Old-Fashioned Christmas
Saturday, December 811:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
$1.50 for all crafts
Don’t miss out on this annual holiday favorite
featuring winter crafts for children, ages 4-12.
Cookie DecoratingThursday, December 20
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.(or until the cookies
run out!)
One of our most popular events, this fun fest is
where sugar and creativity meet!
RENO COUNTY MUSEUM EXHIBITS
“86.121” Meet past Reno County resident Mildred Hobbs (donor #86.121) through the vast collection of arti-facts she and her family generously donated.
a few of our favorite
tHings
The Reno County Histor-ical Society staff chose their favorite artifacts, most never before shown.
transportation gallerY Come enjoy the Schuttler wagon, an Amish buggy, the Indian motorcycle, sidecar and much more.
Bisonte Hotel:tHe Best in tHe west Visitors have the opportu-nity to take a long-awaited look at one of Hutchin-son’s most beloved mem-ories – the Bisonte Hotel. from the early 1900s to more modern times.
watch for details on our new exhibit all about tools, due to open by
the end of this year. it will be “tool-tally”
awesome.
f
Can you guess what theseearly day tools were used for?
reno county historical societyp.o. box 664hutchinson, kansas 67504-0664
return service requested
FIGHTING HUTCHINSON FIRESPAGE 4
If your address changes, please call us at 620-662-1184.