Wichita State University Department of History

For you history teachers out there!!!

KCSS (Kansas) 2026 Annual Conference | Social Studies Attend the 2026 Kansas Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference at the Kansas History Museum

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Kansas 250 Commission and PBS Partner to Present Statewide Preview Screenings of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution
Four free preview events with panel discussions to be held in Topeka, Iola, Wichita, and Garden City
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TOPEKA, KS — The Kansas 250 Commission, in partnership with PBS Stations - KTWU, KPTS, SHPTV, and Constitution Hall-Topeka, Washburn Law, Wichita State, Allen County Community College, and Garden City Community College, is proud to announce four special preview screenings of the highly anticipated Ken Burns documentary The American Revolution — premiering nationally on PBS on November 16, 2025.
Each event will feature a 30-minute preview of the film followed by a live panel discussion featuring Kansas historians, educators, and civic leaders. Admission is free, and tickets are available through Eventbrite.
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Preview Event Schedule
• Topeka —Thursday, November 6, 2025
Venue: Constitution Hall-Topeka at 6:30 PM
• Iola — Tuesday, November 12, 2025
Venue: Allen County Community College, Student Center at 6:30 PM
• Wichita —Thursday, November 13, 2025
Venue: KPTS- PBS-Kansas Studio at 6:30 PM FEATURING WSU HISTORY FACULTY Robin Henry, Robert Owens, and Jay Price
• Garden City — Friday, November14. 2025
Venue: Garden City Community College, Library at 1:00 PM
🎟️ Free tickets for all four events are available through Eventbrite.
Visit www.America250KS.com or search “Kansas 250 American Revolution Preview” on Eventbrite.com to reserve your seat.
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About the Documentary
The American Revolution is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, and written by Geoffrey C. Ward. The series explores how the thirteen colonies rose in rebellion, fought for independence, and laid the foundation for a new nation — told through a mosaic of voices, including soldiers, Loyalists, Native and African Americans, women, and civilians.
The series will air on PBS and stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning November 16, 2025. Companion classroom and discussion resources will be available for educators and community organizations.
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Engaging Kansans in the 250th Anniversary
As part of Kansas’s official observance of the United States’ 250th anniversary, the Kansas 250 Commission is collaborating with PBS and local partners to spark statewide conversations about the origins and ongoing impact of America’s founding ideals.
“These preview events give Kansans a first look at Ken Burns’ latest exploration of our shared history,” said Representative Susan Estes, Chair of the Kansas 250 Commission. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we invite every community to reflect on what the Revolution’s ideals mean today.”
“Through local panels and community dialogue, we hope to inspire a deeper understanding of liberty, democracy, and civic participation,” added Representative Estes.
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About the Kansas 250 Commission
The Kansas 250 Commission leads statewide efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. Through partnerships with local governments, schools, museums, and civic organizations, the Commission promotes programs that honor the past, inspire civic engagement, and strengthen Kansas communities for the next generation.
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Kansas 250 Welcome to the Kansas 250 website, where you can discover new ways to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in Kansas. As the nation approaches its upcoming Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Kansas 250 Commission will lead the state's efforts in commemorating this eventful moment in American history....

Don’t forget that Tallgrass Film Festival is this week! This year, the Wichita State University Dept. of History has agreed to join us as a Community Partner (CP) for the film A Brief History of Chasing Storms during the Tallgrass Film Festival this year. Check our two showings: October 16 at 12:00 and October 19 at 5:00 https://tff25.eventive.org/schedule/68b6918cba2bb5bfd2ce271f

For more info, see https://thesunflower.com/100505/arts-and-culture/tallgrass-film-festival-entering-its-23rd-year-of-showcasing-and-helping-independent-filmmakers/

Tallgrass film festival entering its 23rd year of showcasing and helping independent filmmakers The Tallgrass film festival is entering its 23rd year of showcasing small, independent films made by filmmakers trying to get their start. The films showcased are from both Wichita community members and from people beyond. The film festival is made for the community, with partnerships with businesse...

Hello! We are so happy that Wichita State University Dept. of History has agreed to join us as a Community Partner (CP) for the film A Brief History of Chasing Storms during the Tallgrass Film Festival this year. Check our two showings: October 16 at 12:00 and October 19 at 5:00

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHASING STORMS The feature film is preceded by a short film. See below for details. | A roving, episodic road film chasing the mythologies of the American tornado. | At 94 years old, Margarita Elms has a pretty solid routine and a lifetime of memories. Is there space for a total solar eclipse?

We are saddened with the loss of such an amazing ally to the Wichita history world: Mary Nelson

Obituary for Mary Ann Nelson at Affordable Cremations Plus Mary Nelson, 1962-2024 Mary was bright, she was beautiful, she was caring. She was talented, generous, funny, and kind. Mary was loving, and she was loved. She was magic. Everything was better because of her. She made you feel welcome, comfortable and at ease. She did not judge. She accepted

The department is sad to report the passing of a beloved friend and colleague, Mary Nelson , who was the anchor for Special Cillections for so many years.

https://www.wichita.edu/services/humanresources/Organizational_Development/Service_Recognition/Bender_of_Twigs/Honorees/2019_Bender_of_Twigs/2019_Bender_of_Twigs_MaryNelson.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR11-usz5uqgDzDSOkR5WZE_s206poFRSWOXXvpiSRpiHQIQdYotvr2u6aM_aem_N6uA4mhpbd_fZv9RVc4qdw

2019 Bender of Twigs Honoree Mary Nelson Wichita State University celebrates our employees who have 25 years of service to WSU on Friday, November 15, 2019.

Today, December 7, Pearl Harbor Day,

We will have a gathering of the WSU Society of Public Historians TONIGHT Please come on by to learn about all the cool things that we are doing. SPH will be providing Mexican food although other contributions are certainly welcome!

We are at the Fiske lounge. See you then and if you want to consider running for an officer.

Dues are the same affordable $10!

From one of our alums!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oklahoma Baptist University
Contact: Bryan Painter, (405) 697-9532
1613 “He” Bible exhibit opening November 10, 2023
Oklahoma Baptist University, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Baptist Historical Commission and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, will be hosting a reception in celebration of the restoration and exhibition of a 1613 copy of the King James Bible. This will take place from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Nov.10, 2023 at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.
Shields Boulevard Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, recently donated the Bible to the J.M. and Helen Gaskin Baptist Historical Library and Archives at Oklahoma Baptist University. The Bible has undergone extensive restoration by conservators at the Museum of the Bible. This copy of the King James Bible is notable both for its age, and for a typographical error in the book of Ruth, which refers to Ruth as "he." Thus, it is referred to as the "Great He Bible."
Speaking to the historical value of the Bible, University Archivist Joshua Mackey reported the following: "Its publication date alone would make it notable. The first Authorized King James Bible was published in 1611, while King James I reigned [from] 1603 to 1625. This means that not only was this Bible among the first copies of the original KJV, but it also is contemporary to the king who authorized its translation and publication. It is a remarkable piece of history and a testament to both the craftsmanship of those early printers and the endurance of God’s Word.”
This reception is an opportunity for the university, denomination and broader community to celebrate the craftsmanship on display, as well as the good work the Lord has done to make this stewardship possible. The Bible will be on display alongside an exhibition of religious art from the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art collection. This exhibit will be on display through 2024.
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, founded in 1919, is among the oldest museums in Oklahoma. The museum features Egyptian, Greek and Roman
objects, art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance through the early 20th century, and large holdings of Native American, African/Oceanic and Eastern cultural artifacts. The museum is located on the grounds of OBU’s Green Campus at 1900 W. MacArthur Street in Shawnee. For more information, please visit their website at
https://www.mgmoa.org/.
This event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided. It will include a few brief statements from the university and the Oklahoma Baptists, followed by a first look at the exhibit and time to explore the museum and visit with the OBU archivist, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art staff, and Oklahoma Baptist Historical Commissioners who helped make this possible.
For more information about this event, contact Julie Rankin, library director, 405-585-4522, [email protected] or Joshua Mackey, university archivist, 405-585-4520, [email protected]
About OBU: With its campus located in Shawnee, OBU offers nine bachelor’s degrees with more than 80 fields of study and four master’s degree programs. OBU has been rated as one of the top regional colleges and universities in the West by U.S. News and World Report for 32 consecutive years and as Oklahoma’s highest rated regional college or university in the U.S. News rankings for 30 years. Forbes.com consistently ranks OBU as a top university in Oklahoma and the Princeton Review has named OBU, of the southwestern region, one of the best colleges and universi􀆟es in its region of the United States for 19 consecutive years.

WSU and the Wichita community are invited to a panel discussion on Wednesday, October 25th, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Marcus Welcome Center.

Faculty from the history, philosophy and anthropology departments will examine how their respective disciplines navigated the N**i era. There will also be an open discussion of the topic’s relevance for universities today.

A reception will follow the discussion, and the event is open to the public.

Thursday, September 7th - 6 P.M.