Welcome to the Jewell County Historical Society Internet Site! Thank you for visiting! We want to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with The Society and what is happening with us. The emphasis of our site is on our Museum, Old Jail, Threshing Bee, and Farmers Market!
JOIN US AT OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS! On May 17, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., Shirley Ann Myers will be sharing her experience of writing books about family history. Books will be available for sale. Collectors of publications covering local history about Esbon, Lebanon, and Red Cloud will want to add these to their personal collections! The program, followed by the monthly meeting, will be held at the museum at 118 N. Commercial, Mankato, KS. On June 21, Bethany Roe will relate the facts surrounding the unearthing of a couple of valuable books given to the Mankato City Library by R.W. Turner several decades ago--same time and place again!
Leon Ault (on stage) discussing his documentary at annual meeting program. President Roger Fedde is standing in front of stage.
Roger Fedde, President of the JCHS, introduced Leon, Ault, Professional Cinematographer, to an audience of around 70 people at the Society's annual meeting program on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at the Little Theater at Rock Hills High School. Mr. Ault's program, "Making of an American Monument," featured the documentary he produced showcasing the creation and building of the Spirit of Nebraska's Wilderness and Pioneer Courage Park in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is worth the time to travel to Omaha to see this tribute to the westward expansion of pioneers.
Mr. Ault has generously donated a copy of his documentary to the museum. It is available for viewing. Please contact the mueum curator if you would like to check out the DVD.
The Jewell County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Jewell County by bringing together people interested in its history. Understanding the history of our community is basic to our democratic way of life and gives us a better understanding of our county, state, and nation. The Society promotes better appreciation of our American Heritage.
People of Jewell County started to show interest in preserving the heritage of our county in 1959. The Jewell County Historical Society was organized in 1960. A. W. Schlagle donated his building in downtown Mankato, Kansas, for the Museum in memory of his wife, Anna Colson Schlagle, in 1961. Several years later, Dubuque Packing Co. gave $500 to the Society to kick off a fund drive for the Museum. The south side of the Museum was bequethed by Congressman Wint Smith and was opened in May of 1977.
The Society owns and operates the Museum. It also owns the historic Post Rock Jail and the building and grounds north of Mankato City park where the Threshing Bee is held. The Jewell County Historical Society also owns the microfilm of Jewell County newspapers located at the Mankato City Library.
To support these properties, the Society host an annual Threshing Bee the third full weekend of July and a Farmers Market craft show the third Saturday in October.
Genealogy Research
Genealogy research is conducted within the museum during museum hours for free. However, we do ask for a donation of your choice to the Jewell County Historical Society for the use and upkeep of its records and microfilm. Our microfilm is located at the library. If research needs to be done there or at the courthouse, it will be billed at $10/hr.
CONTACT INFO - jchs1870@hotmail.com OR 785-534-0940 (please leave a message)
Membership dues are payable at the first of each year. Your dues help support the work of the society. Members also receive the quarterly newsletter. Membership options available are:
INDIVIDUAL - $5.00
FAMILY - $10.00
LIFETIME - $100.00
You are welcome to join the Society at any time! Please send your dues with your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address to:
Jewell County Historical Society, 118 N. Commercial, Mankato, KS 66956
******************THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!********************
