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.
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.
Opening the benefit with re-enactors present
Dan Sturdevant and the 3Ds perform at the Alexander Majors House
Approaching the house from the east along State Line Road in Kansas City, Missouri
Audience at the benefit, with Ross Marshall, NSDKC member, presenting
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.