Historical Society recaps year; nearly 600 visit museum in summer months

    A review of the summer activities at the Chase County Museum highlighted Sunday’s annual banquet and meeting of the Chase County Historical Society.
    Also during the program, Carol Maddux of Wauneta was recognized for her years of service on the board, election of officers was held and attendees enjoyed slide and power point presentations.
    Historical Society President Charley Colton reported 597 people signed the museum’s guest book this summer. Most of those were for the Sunday afternoon programs.
    “We were pleased with the numbers. Those are fairly strong numbers,” he said.
    Due to lingering effects of COVID, the numbers in some previous years have been higher, he said.
    As usual, Colton said the Chase County “Antique Road Show” likely drew the biggest crowds of the summer programs. Next was Lloyd Sinner’s program on Father’s Day when he brought both his oldest and newest wreckers for display.
    Also popular were the program on county cemeteries and Shirley Fanning’s needlepoint display combined with a showing of museum-owned quilts, he said.
    Colton said they are always looking for people willing to share their passions and hobbies at a summer museum program.
    “It doesn’t matter what the program is. Someone will have a memory,” he said.
    Anyone interested in giving a program next summer can contact Colton, 308-883-8584.
    New faces will be joining the Historical Society board as longtime member Carol Maddux of Wauneta is stepping down after more than 30 years, many of them as vice president.
    She was presented a floral wreath as a thank-you from fellow board members.
    Elected officers for the coming year were Colton, reelected president; Becky Carman, vice president; Diane Schilke, reelected secretary; and Manette Brown, reelected treasurer.
    Kelen Fortkamp and Vicky Beard were elected as new directors, while Jeannine Cox was reelected. Cox’s term is up in 2023, Fortkamp’s in 2024 and Beard’s in 2025.
    Stan Cross and Carman went off the board as directors.
    As part of the program, Colton gave a slide presentation of photos taken by Edna Roberts of the Champion community in the late 1950s. The photos were donated to the museum by Doris Carpenter.
    Attendees Sunday also enjoyed a power point featuring various Chase County communities and their histories.
    Colton said the board is working on the Historical Society’s annual calendar, which will go on sale later this year. The 2022 theme is community celebrations, he said.
    Some of the featured photos will be 4th of July celebrations, Enders Dam dedication and more.