The August newsletter and insert has been posted.

 

The marker for the Town of Kansas has been posted to the Historic Markers section.

 

Atkins-Johnson Farmhouse in Gladstone Site of New Marker

The dedication of the marker for the historic Atkins-Johnson Farm in
Gladstone is scheduled for Saturday, September 25. The Friends of the Atkins-
Johnson Farm are hosting a potluck dinner at 5:00 p.m. at Happy Rock West
Park with a shuttle bus to the farm for the dedication of the Native Sons and
Daughters historic marker at 6:30 p.m. House tours follow the dedication.
The board of the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm will be providing a meat
dish for the event. We’re asking everyone attending to bring a dish to share at
the potluck. Pictures of the farm house are shown below from May 2009.

 

Members at the Atkins-Johnson house in May 2009

 

Group at Atkins-Johnson house in May 2009

Photos courtesy of Dan Sturdevant

Tour to Independence, Vaile Mansion, Courthouse on October 9

A tour of Independence is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th. Invitations, with details, will be sent soon. We will meet at Independence Square at 10:00 a.m. and finish the tour at 4:00 p.m. The tour includes a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, the restored Alton-Chicago Train Depot, and the Vaile Mansion.

130 attend Alexander Majors House Benefit

Historical speech and cowboy songs filled the air for about 2 hours on the west lawn at the Alexander Majors House at 82nd and State Line on Saturday night, July 10.  Ross Marshall, Kansas City area historian, and current president of The Partnership for the National Trails System, presented Alexander Majors and Freighting to the American West in the 1850s and the Pony Express. The 3-Ds led by Dan Sturdevant, performed cowboy songs such as Ghost Riders in the Sky and Red River Valley.  About 130 people attended and enjoyed a beautiful summer evening with partly cloudy skies, and a light breeze. The event benefited the Alexander Majors Historical Foundation (www.alexandermajors.com), which was well served. The promotions were done by the Native Sons and Daughters.

All photos courtesy of Dan Sturdevant.

Benefit at Alexander Majors House, July, 2010

Opening the benefit with re-enactors present

 

Benefit at Alexander Majors House, July, 2010, Kansas City, Missouri

Dan Sturdevant and the 3Ds perform at the Alexander Majors House

Alexander Majors House event, July, 2010, Kansas City, Missouri

Approaching the house from the east along State Line Road in Kansas City, Missouri

Audience at the July 2010 Alexander Majors House benefit, Kansas City, Missouri

Audience at the benefit, with Ross Marshall, NSDKC member, presenting

President Gary Hicks and Louise Hicks at the Alexander Majors House benefit, July 2010, Kansas City, Missouri

President Gary Hicks and Louise Hicks at the benefit.

Town of Kansas Historic Interpretive Marker

The Town of Kansas historic marker was dedicated by the Native Sons and Daughters on June 3rd. The event was held on the 160th anniversary of the chartering of the Town of Kansas. Master of ceremonies, Honorable Tom Sims, introduced speakers for the dedication including remarks by the Honorable Mayor Mark Funkhouser, former Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Bob Collins, Kansas City, Missouri, Councilwoman Joanne Collins, Westport Historical Society President Dan Smith, Jackson County Historical Society President Dan Jackson, Native Sons and Daughters Marker Committee Chairman Roger Smith, and Past Native Sons and Daughters President Joe Vaughan. Approximately 75 attended the event.

 

The marker is located near the southeast corner of the pedestrian bridge at 1st Street and Main Street in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The marker identifies the site of the birthplace of the Town of Kansas, now the city of Kansas City, Missouri. Photos of the marker may be seen in the Historic Markers section.

 

The dedication of this marker represents a milestone in the effort to commemorate the Town of Kansas site and the 12-year efforts of the Honorable Toms Sims in advocating for the commemoration of the Town of Kansas site, and the research for the marker's narrative.

Gary L. Hicks,President

 

 

 

Do you know a location to nominate for a historic marker?

We've posted an application form (pdf)on the Historic Markers page.

 

The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City

Since 1932, the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City has been on the forefront of historic advocacy and preservation in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri, area. Its goal, in the words of first President, D. Ralston Spaulding, is to "be a booster organization as well as a society for reminiscence...We intend to link the past with the present and the present with the future.  We who are native best understand its problems."

Members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions and interests, but their common bond is an intense love of Kansas City and the desire to be part of an organization dedicated to the recognition, preservation and restoration of Kansas City's unique and rich heritage.

Events

 
Outstanding Kansas Citian Dinner honoring Tom McDonnell, September 23rd
Invitations and RSVPs have been mailed
Atkins-Johnson Farm Historic Marker Dedication, September 25
5:00 Potluck, 6:30 p.m. dedication
Tour of Independence, Vaile Mansion, Jackson County Courthouse
Saturday, October 9. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Independence Square
Annual Holiday Brunch, December 11th, Indian Hills Country Club
Details announced soon
Officers meetings for 2010
Board and Executive Meeting Schedule
Obituaries and Memorials