Wabaunsee County Historical Society & Museum

06/18/2026

Throwback Thursday!
What we know about this photo....this is Marlene (Thowe) Briscoe, circa 1950 in Alma. Marlene is the daughter of Bill & Sophie Thowe.
What we do not know is where the photo was taken....
Possibilities....
Many of the Thowe family worked at the Farmers Union, including her parents.

The ceiling sure looks like the tiles at the Farmers Union that were cracking and falling down, prior to our current renovation project.

Or was this ceiling tile used at other buildings in Alma?

Let us know if you have any idea where Marlene was and what she was doing!

Photo courtesy of Marlene’s niece Jennifer Gehrt.

06/17/2026

We have fantastic news!

We have community members that are coming alongside us to get the word out about our Match Campaign.

We are calling them our “Ambassadors”.
They will be out and about in their community to answer questions about our project, and possibly find ways to raise funds in a meaningful way specific to their town.

Here is the beginning of a growing list:

Kathy Hogue, Mission Valley Ranch
Amanda Gnadt, Alma
Phil Schutter, Alma
Lana Johnson, Maple Hill
Doug Hiegert, Paxico
Dan Zeller, Paxico

One way YOU can get involved is let our Ambassadors know you want to be part of The “Seven Sisters Strong Challenge”.

We have had Paxico & Harveyville communities pledge to “buy a community can”, which is $2,000 towards our Match campaign.

How can you get involved?

❇️ Let your community Ambassador know you want to contribute.

❇️ Give online and add in notes section name of your town. https://square.link/u/nfvwIlA8

❇️ Mail a check to PO Box 387, Alma KS 66401 and put name of town on memo line.

Thank you Ambassadors for partnering with us. Your support means so much to this project.

The Seven Sisters are the incorporated towns in Wabaunsee County…Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Maple Hill, McFarland & Paxico.

Together we can meet the challenge to raise $100,000 by 12/31/26, which will then be matched dollar for dollar!

You hold the key to unlock the door! Every dollar matched! A community donor has commited $100,000 to restore the Farmers Union building! Every dollar given will be matched, which means each gift goes twice as far! Now through December, your gift will help unlock what comes next! This is an unparall...

06/16/2026

Match Campaign Restoration Project

Some highlights of the past couple of years on our crazy renovation project!

Thank you to our volunteers, contractors and contributors that have gotten us this far!

The best is yet to come this year when we pull all our resources together to get this project DONE ✅

06/16/2026

Looking for something fun to do in the beautiful Flint Hills?

June 26 & 27th Volland will be the place to be!

They will be hosting a production with six short plays.

And what we like most about it is …

All the writers are Wabaunsee County Historical Society members!

Our Director Marci Spaw and 2 board members Rhonda Nehring & Rob Meseke.

And the majority of actors are members!

This will be a super fun event!

June 26 & 27, 2026

06/16/2026

The “Seven Sisters Strong Challenge” is on!

The community of Paxico has stepped up to join our match campaign!

This awesome community is pledging to “buy a community can”, which is $2,000 towards our Match campaign.

We find this especially fun and exciting because the leaders of this effort are our board members Doug Hiegert & Dan Zeller, who reside in Paxico.

How can you get involved?

❇️Give them a shout if you are in the Paxico community and want to contribute.

❇️Give online and add in notes section “Paxico”. https://square.link/u/nfvwIlA8

❇️Mail a check to PO Box 387, Alma KS 66401 and put “Paxico” on memo line.

Thank you Paxico for partnering with us. Your support means so much to this project.

The Seven Sisters are the incorporated towns in Wabaunsee County…Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Maple Hill, McFarland, Paxico.

Join in this friendly competition that started with our 1st community can pledged by our board member Teresa Naylor, who resides in Harveyville!

Who will be next to join this epic challenge?

Together we can accomplish great things in Wabaunsee County!

Call us for more information or tour of our renovation project at 785-765-2200.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more information for other communities joining us!

06/15/2026

We have mentioned before….we get cool stuff!

Jerry and Karen Haller traveled all the from Michigan for the Alma High School reunion with these packed in their vehicle!

These cars are circa 1979 when the Haller family had a dealership in Alma!

These were promotional items that would be given to proud owners of new vehicles!

What a neat piece of history that could have been lost.
Thank you Jerry and Karen!

06/14/2026

Let there be light!!!!😎

You guessed it…what you see hanging from the ceiling is new electrical wires to hang track lights in the Farmers Union!

We are super proud as these lights will soon light up this space and bring Main Street back to life!

Back story… we bought this historic building adjoined to the museum for $1 in 1986. The intention was to use the space for storage of artifacts and it did just that for many years.

This building had no central heat and air so it was never a pleasant place to stay long….very hot or cold and smelly.🫤

In 2020 it became necessary to repair the facade on the front of the building and the cracking windows, which took 2 years of careful planning to meet historic renovation regulations 😬

Then we had issues inside to address. Over the years the ceiling began leaking, causing damage beyond simple repairs.

The board made the decision to make it a space for visitors to enjoy. This building is 4000 square feet so repairs are costly.

Our Director has written & received grant funds over the last few years which we are very grateful. Members have given donations and match day events have been helpful. But it has been difficult to raise the amount needed to actually finish the project.

Our goal now is to complete this renovation work this year. With construction behind us we will be able to focus on plans to create wonderful exhibits such as Main Street with Blacksmith, Doctors Office, Store, 1900’s replica of a home, and so much more.

Truth is we need the support of our community to make this a reality.

A citizen of Wabaunsee County opened the door to give us the opportunity by pledging $100,000 to create our own Match Campaign. This campaign rewards each donation with a dollar for dollar match until 12/31/26.

With the support of an amazing community we have raised $47,000 to date!

We invite you to join us in this exciting campaign. Donations are tax deductible.

Give online here: https://square.link/u/nfvwIlA8
Call us: 785-765-2200
Drop by 227 Missouri Ave, Alma
Mail check: PO Box 387, Alma, KS 66401

Thank you to our community for partnering with us!

06/12/2026

Another special can in the window!

In memory of Bill & Sophia Thowe.

Our Board President Jennifer Gehrt has pledged to raise $2000 for a can in memory of her grandparents Bill & Sophia Thowe.

This is special for a few reasons….

It is representation of many of her family members coming together to contribute and honor the Thowe family.

It so happens that Jennifer, and both of her grandparents worked at the Farmers Union years ago when it was a store! What a legacy!

Anytime a family comes together for a cause is truly special.

This family finds it important to preserve this historic building for generations to enjoy such as their family has.

We thank this family for their support.

We are now at over $47,000! So close to our goal of $50k by July 15.

Let us know if you would like to be part of this exciting campaign with your family.

06/12/2026

🐎 Step into the saddle and discover a piece of the West.

Our collection of historic western saddles tells the story of the ranchers, cowboys, and families who helped shape life in the Flint Hills. From well-worn working saddles to beautifully crafted pieces, each one carries the marks of miles traveled and stories lived.

Whether you grew up horseback or simply appreciate the heritage of the American West, this exhibit offers a unique look at the traditions that built Wabaunsee County.

📍 Wabaunsee County Museum
🏛 Explore local history, including the only original arched stone cellar open to visitors in Kansas.
📸 Bring a friend and experience the stories of the Flint Hills.

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday!

Brought to us by local Virginia Czirr.

Can you guess what these are?

Hint…they are over 100 years old!