Jump to Navigation

K. T. Wiedemann Foundation

Karl T. and Gladys Wiedemann shared a deep love for the Flint Hills. To help support the place in which they lived and operated their business, the couple established a foundation in Wichita in 1959.

The Wiedemanns had worked in the oil and gas, ranching, and gasoline distribution business, and held extensive land in the Flint Hills. Their vision for the foundation was to improve the quality of life within Wichita and the state of Kansas. During Mr. Wiedemann’s lifetime, the foundation supported hundreds of charities in areas relating to the arts, health, children and youth, the elderly, and the disadvantaged. During that time the foundation contributed tens of millions of dollars to worthy causes primarily in Kansas. Mr. Wiedemann died in 1961. Mrs. Wiedemann carried on the vision of the foundation until her death in 1991. The foundation continues today with Doug Pringle as the foundation president. When KSHS, Inc., requested support for Red Rocks State Historic Site in Emporia, the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation responded with a $50,000 gift.

“William Allen White was not only a great Kansan but his saga is so deeply entwined with the history of the Flint Hills,” said Pringle. “I am confident that Mr. and Mrs. Wiedemann would have enthusiastically supported this grant for the preservation of such a wonderful home.”

The Historical Society will use the funds to expand the site’s audience base through school programs and other outreach opportunities. The Historical Society operates the site in cooperation with the non-profit William Allen White Community Partnership, Inc.