Wintry conditions may have altered local plans to celebrate Kansas’ birthday, but it did not cancel them outright as the Lyon County History Center still welcomed visitors through its doors for a birthday bash on Kansas Day.
The activities ran from the late morning to early afternoon hours Thursday with games, snacks, face painting and more on the schedule. Thursday’s bash was supposed to be the second of two celebratory events at the center; however, the recent winter storm canceled last Saturday’s planned party.
Nonetheless, History Center Deputy Director Lisa Soller was very pleased to see children and families taking advantage of the opportunity this week, noting these activities are important to celebrate not only Kansas’ existence, but the struggles that went into is formation.
Soller feels the history center has an obligation to commemorate such occasions.
Soller adds that commemorating the state’s history and contributions to the country are extra important this year as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday.
Kansas became a state on January 29th, 1861, when it was admitted into the Union. Before statehood, Kansas was recognized as a territory beginning in 1854 following the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which is considered by some as one of the most significant pre-Civil War events, as it effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and led to the institution of popular sovereignty, allowing settlers in new territories to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery.
This action would lead to a series of violent civil conflicts in the territory that would come to be known as Bleeding Kansas or the Border War.
