“The Greenwood County Historical Society has acquired two dozer blades that were donated by Russell and Sons Construction Company out of Longview, Texas, formerly located in Eureka, Kansas. The blades were brought from Longview, Texas then unloaded by TCI Industrial Services of Fredonia, Kansas using a crane on August 22, 2023. The two blades were designed by Russell and Sons Construction and used in reclamation work on coal mines in Southeast Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona. More information on the design, fabrication and use of the blades will be found at the Greenwood County Museum in the next few months.”
Earliest known teaching certificate issued in Greenwood County donated to the Greenwood County Historical Society and Museum
This document was researched and discovered by Gib Rhodes and donated to the museum by the Robert Curry family of Madison.
The framed image includes the original hand-written teaching certificate issued to Sarah Lipsey on June 10, 1864 by Edwin Tucker, one of the founders of Eureka, often referred to as “the father of Eureka”; and a photograph of Sarah Reed Lipsey, the recipient of the certificate.
The certificate reads:
“This is 2 (to) certify that Sarah R. Lipsey has been examined and found competent 2 (to) give instruction in orthography, writing, arithmetic, English, grammar, and geography and have exhibited satisfactory testimonials of good moral character is authorized to teach these branches in any common school within this county.
Edwin Tucker
Superintendent Public Instruction of Greenwood County”
Sarah most likely taught at a log cabin or native lumber school in the Madison area. It was also likely the school building probably was not given a name and it was in the days before school district numbers were assigned to schools. Little is known about this period of time because school and teaching records were not required by Kansas law until 1886.
Included in the display are several early textbooks in reading, arithmetic, and English; a wood framed slate; and the lunchbox carried to school by Gladys Beuchat and her sister.
Come in and see this remarkable artifact and many other interesting items at the Greenwood County Historical Society Museum. We are open Monday – Friday from 10:00 – 4:00.
The quilt of the month for April is a friendship comforter from the Piedmont/Severy area, made in 1938 -1939 by Maude Ebberts, grandmother of Ron Ebberts. It was donated to the museum in 2002.
The top is made in blocks in various prints that are set together with white sashing, borders and backing. Signatures of the various women are found in the sashing and are finished in various colored embroidery floss. The pieced top was tied, which is the distinction between a quilt and a comforter.
If anyone can identify the block pattern used in this comforter we would be very glad of the additional information to add to our quilt collection archive.
The Greenwood County Historical Society is open Monday – Friday from 10 – 4. Stop in and see this quilt and many other items that reflect the history of Greenwood County.
The Greenwood County Historical Society recently became a member of the SEK Museum Alliance and is now participating in the Passport Program.
The Passport shows locations, hours, and interesting information about collections for 49 museums in Southeast Kansas. Visitors are encouraged to come to the Greenwood County Historical Society Museum, explore our collection and then pick up a passport and get it stamped. Take your passport with you when you visit other museums in the Alliance and have their pages stamped as well.
The Greenwood County Historical Society is open Monday – Friday from 10 – 4. Come explore our history.
The Greenwood County Historical Society and Museum has benefitted through the years from the work of volunteers that have helped in many ways such as doing research and setting up displays. Society board member John Bills suggested at the February board meeting that recognition should be given to these loyal helpers of the Historical Society. The board voted to award certificates to volunteers beginning with a Volunteer of the Year for 2023 award and then recognizing volunteers each quarter of the coming years.
The museum board was very pleased to present Janet Williams of Fall River with the Volunteer of the Year 2023 certificate at the April 2nd board meeting.
Janet has worked with board member Becky Lindamood to inventory and photograph our quilt collection, accession a large collection of dolls that were donated to the museum, and to set up displays showcasing items used in the households of Greenwood County settlers.
Janet has shared her knowledge of quilting and needlework and this has helped museum workers to identify and describe items in our collection so that visitors can gain a better understanding of the work that has gone into many of these items in our collections.
The Greenwood County Historical Society Museum is open Monday – Friday from 10 – 4. Come in and enjoy the history of our county preserved by dedicated volunteers like Janet.
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