New Additions to Our Collections

January - December 1999

A large group of items associated with temperance advocate Carry Nation was donated in October 1999 by Dianne Kelly, Nation's great-grand-niece. Kelly inherited the items from Callie Moore, who was Nation's niece and lived with Carry and David Nation for a time. It was Mrs. Nation's wish that Callie become her successor in the prohibition movement. To this end, she convinced Moore to accompany her on several temperance trips. Moore did not follow in her aunt's footsteps, however, preferring to live out most of her adult life in Kansas City working in various family businesses.

When Moore died, her heirs discovered a large trunk at her home. The trunk was filled with items from Nation's temperance campaigns as well as personal artifacts. The donation includes:

• Sheet music on Nation's temperance activites
• Hatchet pins (pictured at right) sold by Nation to finance her efforts
• Copies of Nation's newsletter, The Smasher's Mail
• Personal items, including clothing and purses worn during campaigns
• Photographs showing Nation in jail and engaged in temperance activities

For more information on Nation's activities, see the online exhibit, Carry A. Nation: The Famous and Original Bar Room Smasher.

Ford grain truck purchased by the Geffert family of rural Allen County in 1955. The grain truck hauled crops to the local elevator at Humboldt.

Canvas-covered canoe used by Charles and Virgene Gaines on the Kansas River from the 1930s into the 1950s.

Territorial seal (pictured) for Kansas (1854-1861), transferred to the museum by the Secretary of State's Office. The brass disc is cast with the Latin phrase "Populi Voce Nata," meaning "Born by the voice of the people."

Oil cloth roller shade from the late 19th century, printed with trade advertisements for Topeka contractors and builders.

1930s quilt commemorating the tenure of Hazel Hughes as president of the Women In Our Neighborhood club.

Pair of cowboy boots (pictured) made by the Hyer Boot Company of Olathe, Kansas. Covered with Kansas symbols, the boots were donated by Kyra Zuck of Prairie Village who purchased them off an Internet site.

Sunflower-shaped novelty promoting the Landon/Knox ticket for the 1936 presidential campaign. The novelty is designed to attach to an automobile license plate, and was owned by Judge Langdon Morgan of the 39th Judicial District.

Large wooden sign announcing a 1930s W.P.A. road improvement project sponsored by the Chase County, Kansas, Works Projects Administration.

American flag and victory banner hand-crocheted by Ella Volkert to honor her son Otis who served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II.

Items associated with the "Saving Cheyenne Bottoms" campaign of the 1980s. Cheyenne Bottoms is Kansas' largest system of wetlands, supporting great numbers of migratory waterfowl. The donation includes a pillow (emblazoned "If you take care of our bottoms, we'll take care of yours"), bottled wetland water, and fund raising items.

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