Topeka
Back in March, i went on a field trip with the 8th graders to Topeka, Kansas. As it was a history trip, most of what i did was crowd control and taking photos. i can't say why it has taken me this long to write about it, except that this is a very busy time of year. Until i had a computer issue this morning, and went to back up all my files from March on in case of a failure, and stumbled upon this pictures, i had completely forgotten about it.
i was impressed with the capitol, if not the city of Topeka itself. There is a lot of history here! Many people may not realize that Kansas became a state just months prior to the opening shots of the Civil War. Kansas "Jayhawkers" were Union sympathizers, and in the years leading up to statehood, fought bitterly to make Kansas a free Territory. Nearly 2/3 of military-aged men enlisted and fought in the War, though most of the action occurred in Missouri and elsewhere.
Kansas continued to be an exceptionally progressive state on civil rights. The first stop that we made was the Brown vs. Board National Historic Site. It was one of the black schools in Topeka from which the plaintiffs came. (There were several, around 12 i think, though most people only think of Brown.) The school is still situated in a very poor area of town, though the building itself has been renovated several times in preparation to house the museum inside.
From there we went on to the capitol building. i regret that i don't remember all the details i was told about when it was built, what all the murals mean, and so on. i do remember that the capitol's north and south wings (east and west?) were built first, and later as more money came into the fledgling state, the other two wings were added and the center built to connect them.
There are murals all over the capitol walls: the arrival of Coronado, the movement of cattle on the Chisholm Trail. This one is of the famous abolitionist John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame. Little known fact: he led the famous Pottawatomie Massacre and several other actions against pro-slavery settlers during "Bleeding Kansas."
The dome was very impressive, and photogenic, especially from the inside.
Here is another view. The painting in the bottom center of the photograph was a personal favorite. The three women represent science, peace, and art (in that order). i like to think of art and science as the two surrounding peace.
The Kansas Senate chambers are dark and difficult to photograph. The pillars are plated copper and 24 carat gold is inlaid in the ceiling and walls.
At the end of the tour, we had a choice to make: sit back and wait or climb to the top of the dome. i am proud to say that i am the only faculty member who made it to the top! Flight after flight of inside stairs led us up to this terrifying staircase in the center of the dome. The last spiral leads to a narrow walkway at the top of the builing.
Unfortunately, this was the view from the top.... hm..... it was also exceptionally cold and windy, but that's Kansas for you. And this is Topeka for you. It's not the most attractive city on the planet, just an industrial working town that happens to be host to the state business of Kansas. i was told that the view is better on a beautiful spring day. Aren't they all? was my response.
At least i got some bragging rights with the other teachers...
The last stop was the Kansas history museum. i was tired by this time and didn't take too many pictures, but at least i finally learned that these things...
...(which are all over Kansas) are not for electricity. They actually pump water from the ground using wind energy. Kansans have been using them since pioneer days. In some little towns in Kansas, it looks like they have been using the same ones since pioneer days. But that's a post for another day.
i was impressed with the capitol, if not the city of Topeka itself. There is a lot of history here! Many people may not realize that Kansas became a state just months prior to the opening shots of the Civil War. Kansas "Jayhawkers" were Union sympathizers, and in the years leading up to statehood, fought bitterly to make Kansas a free Territory. Nearly 2/3 of military-aged men enlisted and fought in the War, though most of the action occurred in Missouri and elsewhere.
Kansas continued to be an exceptionally progressive state on civil rights. The first stop that we made was the Brown vs. Board National Historic Site. It was one of the black schools in Topeka from which the plaintiffs came. (There were several, around 12 i think, though most people only think of Brown.) The school is still situated in a very poor area of town, though the building itself has been renovated several times in preparation to house the museum inside.
From there we went on to the capitol building. i regret that i don't remember all the details i was told about when it was built, what all the murals mean, and so on. i do remember that the capitol's north and south wings (east and west?) were built first, and later as more money came into the fledgling state, the other two wings were added and the center built to connect them.
There are murals all over the capitol walls: the arrival of Coronado, the movement of cattle on the Chisholm Trail. This one is of the famous abolitionist John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame. Little known fact: he led the famous Pottawatomie Massacre and several other actions against pro-slavery settlers during "Bleeding Kansas."
The dome was very impressive, and photogenic, especially from the inside.
Here is another view. The painting in the bottom center of the photograph was a personal favorite. The three women represent science, peace, and art (in that order). i like to think of art and science as the two surrounding peace.
The Kansas Senate chambers are dark and difficult to photograph. The pillars are plated copper and 24 carat gold is inlaid in the ceiling and walls.
At the end of the tour, we had a choice to make: sit back and wait or climb to the top of the dome. i am proud to say that i am the only faculty member who made it to the top! Flight after flight of inside stairs led us up to this terrifying staircase in the center of the dome. The last spiral leads to a narrow walkway at the top of the builing.
Unfortunately, this was the view from the top.... hm..... it was also exceptionally cold and windy, but that's Kansas for you. And this is Topeka for you. It's not the most attractive city on the planet, just an industrial working town that happens to be host to the state business of Kansas. i was told that the view is better on a beautiful spring day. Aren't they all? was my response.
At least i got some bragging rights with the other teachers...
The last stop was the Kansas history museum. i was tired by this time and didn't take too many pictures, but at least i finally learned that these things...
...(which are all over Kansas) are not for electricity. They actually pump water from the ground using wind energy. Kansans have been using them since pioneer days. In some little towns in Kansas, it looks like they have been using the same ones since pioneer days. But that's a post for another day.
posted by ellie at 08:19
3 Comments:
See... this is what a blog should be... :) Informative, interesting, and insightful... As usual. Wish I was more of all of the above.
I agree with Jeff, a perfect post. Thank you for sharing.
this is a great post. i laughed out loud at the shirt!
hope you're doing well - and thanks for the free cycle info. i plan on having my yard sale and then free cycling everything that doesn't sell.
:)
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