STRONG CITY – Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is hosting the upcoming special event, Voices of the Past, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The day will be filled with family-friendly activities including special speakers, HAM radio operators, living history characters, Picnic in the Park and the unveiling of the preserve’s Centennial quilt created by the Flint Hills Quilt Guilds and local Chase County quilters. Free birthday cake and lemonade will be served at 1 p.m. All activities share in the central theme of the day — celebrating Voices of the Past — and are free to the public.
The preserve has a rich cultural heritage. Anyone that has a story to share about the ranch is invited to participate in an oral history project. Volunteers from the Flint Hills Discovery Center will be available to interview participants about their personal experiences of the ranch by asking questions and capturing the stories on video. Videos will become part of the preserve’s Oral History Collection. Capturing those historic stories now is vital to celebrating and preserving heritage. Through this project, stories will forever be preserved for countless future generations to come as the National Park Service begins its next 100 years. Call the preserve at 273-8494 (hit 0) to set up an appointment. Allow approximately 20 minutes for the interview.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with wagon rides and living history programs being provided until 4 p.m. in Strong City The day focuses on celebrating America’s heritage and the National Park Service’s milestone of turning 100 years old.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., learn about historic land surveying from one of the early voices of the past through a first-person living history presentation given by local surveyor, Steve Brosemer. Thirty-minute programs will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Brosemer’s presentations bring history to life as he dresses the part of a 19th-century land surveyor. Program will be presented near the historic barn under the Cottonwood tree.
Throughout the day, guests can listen and participate with local HAM radio operators as voices from all over the world communicate through this “old school” technology.
Bring a picnic basket and spread a blanket on the house lawn, while making some family memories at the noon - 1 p.m. Picnic in the Park program. During lunch, roving rangers will present a Junior Ranger program ‘The First 100 for the Next 100’ to Picnic in the Park participants. Kids complete activities while learning about the park and will then receive a Jr. Ranger badge and special collectible patch. No reservations are necessary for this program.
At 1 p.m., attendees can join in the birthday celebration as the preserve’s Centennial quilt is unveiled for the first time. The quilt was lovingly created by the Flint Hills Quilt Guilds and local quilters. This quilt tells the story of the preserve’s rich natural and cultural heritage through fabric photos, quilt blocks and special techniques of fiber art. Following the quilt unveiling, birthday cake and lemonade will be provided, as everyone shares in celebrating the first 100 years of the National Park Service.
The preserve encourages everyone to explore any of the more than 40 miles of hiking trails, viewing the historic buildings and make memories with family as they take a wagon ride or attend the special programs. Bus and house tours will be provided throughout the day.
Centennial Program Schedule
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wagon rides and on-going living history programs throughout the day
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
On-going hands-on activities under the Flint Hill Discovery Center tent with bison hide and other pelts.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Learn about the Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse from volunteers at the school
10:30 - 11 a.m.
Historic land surveying presentation with Steve Brosmer
11 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Kansa Indian talk with Mark Brooks of the Kaw Mission State Historic Site
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Prairie Bus Tour
11:30 - 12 p.m.
Historic land surveying presentation with Steve Brosmer
12 - 1 p.m.
Picnic in the Park – bring a picnic and have lunch on the front lawn, Roving Rangers giving Jr. Ranger program on the lawn among picnic goers
1 p.m.
Unveiling of Centennial Quilt and 100th birthday celebration with cake and lemonade
2 - 3 p.m.
Prairie Bus Tour
3 - 4 p.m.
Prairie Bus Tour
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.