Civil Rights March Banner
The Dockum Drug Store sit-in was an important civil rights event in Wichita in 1958. Fifty years later, this
banner was proudly displayed at a march recognizing that overlooked episode in Kansas history.
You've Got a Friend in Me
A deep friendship took root between two men in the wilds of Kansas Territory. Their bond spanned the differences of culture and race, and lasted a lifetime. This walking stick endures as a symbol of their regard for each other.
No Man's Land
The United States didn't immediately send soldiers to fight in World War I, but that didn't stop Americans from volunteering. In this episode we hear the story behind a nurse's uniform worn by Ethelyn Myers, whose career took her from small-town Kansas to the battlefields of Europe.
Desk Set
The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the most successful programs in television history. The museum owns the desk used by the character Lou Grant, Mary's gruff but lovable boss. Hear how a prop from a show filmed in Hollywood about a Minneapolis TV station ended up in Topeka.
Shoot to Kill
The notorious Jesse James gang terrorized much of the Midwest in the years following the Civil War. A Kansan used this rifle to bring down one of the James gang members in 1875.
Is That a Knork in Your Pocket?
It's a knife, it's a fork, no, it's a Knork! Hear about the genius of one Kansas inventor who combined the best qualities of the knife and fork into a single clever utensil. The Knork is taking the food-service industry by storm.
Say Cheese!
A century ago, photography was much more difficult than point-and-shoot. In this podcast we hear about the challenges faced by a pioneering woman photographer. Alice Gardiner Sennrich documented her town--Valley Falls, Kansas--through the lens of a massive camera.
Vet's Uniform
Even well into the 20th century, the U.S. Army relied heavily on horses and mules to move equipment. But, surprisingly, veterinarians are a fairly recent addition to our military.
A Hunting We Will Go
Hunting is big business in rural Kansas, where hunters visit with guns, ammo, and fat wallets. This banner greeted sportsmen in the western Kansas town of Hays just before the opening of pheasant season.
The Rungless Ladder
It's hard to imagine a ladder without rungs, and yet that was the vision of one Kansas inventor. How does a rungless ladder even work? You'll have to listen to find out.
All I Want For Christmas
Our collections include many holiday-themed artifacts. This one is an early cartoon of Santa Claus, drawn by a Kansas artist. What did Santy look like around 1900? A bit different from today's version, as you might imagine.
Sugar Sack Doll
Lots of museums have dolls in their collections, but how many have a peasant doll holding a hoe and smoking a cigar? Get the scoop on this unusual figure, clad in a dress made from a sugar sack.
Strawberry Hill
Some art has strong historical value. These paintings by Croatian American artist Marijana Grisnik depict memories of an old Kansas City neighborhood known as Strawberry Hill.
Left in the Dust
We think nothing of jumping in the car no matter what the weather, but a century ago open cars and dirt roads made it difficult to look good after a drive. This motoring coat protected early-day road warriors from the elements.
Pinball Wizard
Parents today complain about their kids playing video games, but many of these elders once wasted their time playing pinball. This episode considers a 1960s machine emblazoned with a rock band called The Bootles. Then, we wrap things up with a retrospective of our favorite podcasts to mark our 100th episode.
American Woman
Securing the right to vote was a major milestone for women in America. As we approach Women's History Month, we consider a controversial painting in our collections that commented on the rights of 19th century women in politics and society. Its title is American Woman and Her Political Peers.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman
Most of us had a favorite piece of clothing from childhood. Hear about a dress from the turn of the last century, worn by a girl who would later become a prolific artist.
Rock this Town
Mining has been big business in southeastern Kansas almost since our state was founded. These mineral samples from the town of Treece speak to the area's mining heritage, as well as its less savory legacy.
Mannequins for Dummies
We have a dummy in the museum! Not your run-of-the-mill department store mannequin, this figure was a silent partner in training hospital staff and emergency workers during the 1960s.
Spoils of War
Thousands of buildings were looted of their contents during the Civil War. This quilt from a ransacked South Carolina home has only recently been reunited with its history.
