Medium: PhysicalObject

Certificate of appreciation for Harry Colmery

Date: 1934

This large, hand-crafted certificate was presented to Harry Colmery in appreciation for his efforts as executive director of the 1934 Western Sectional Tournament sponsored by the national American Legion organization…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Celt from the Trowbridge Site, 14WY1

Date: 1 CE-250 CE

This celt was found at the Trowbridge archeological site in Wyandotte County and donated to the Kansas Historical Society in 1973. This celt was made by pecking a hard stone…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Gothic pepper sauce bottle from Quindaro, 14WY314

Date: 1857-1863

This Gothic style pepper sauce bottle was excavated from the Quindaro Townsite (14WY314), an archaeological district now part of Kansas City, Kansas. These bottles are sometimes more commonly called Cathedral…

Medium: PhysicalObject

All-State team semi-pro baseball certificate

Date: 1948

This certificate was presented to Charles (Chick) Gordon in recognition of his selection to the 1948 All-State Baseball Team at the state semi-pro baseball tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Gordon participated…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Charles Gordon scrapbook

Date: 1945-1991 (bulk 1945-1956)

This scrapbook documents the athletic activities of Topekan Charles (Chick) Gordon, primarily during the period 1945-1951. During that time, Gordon was a standout athlete first at Topeka High School, then…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Snuff Jar from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1882-1884

This ceramic snuff jar was recovered from historic Fort Hays in Ellis County. Its lettering declares it to be from the C. W. Gail & Ax snuff makers of Baltimore,…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Harland Coffman baseball scrapbook

Date: January 1, 1948-December 31, 1952

This scrapbook documents the minor league baseball career of Topekan Harland Coffman. Coffman was a right-handed pitcher who played for several minor league teams between 1948 and 1952, including Independence…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Doll Head from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This china doll head was excavated in 1966 at Fort Hays in Ellis County. China doll heads are described by their hair style. This doll, with her center parted hair…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Toy Donkey from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This toy donkey was excavated in 1966 at Fort Hays in Ellis County. It was cleaned using electrolysis which passes an electrical current through a liquid solution to separate the…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Toy Dishes from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

These toy dishes were excavated in 1966 at Fort Hays in Ellis County. Two are identical, though they were found in different locations, and appear to have a small spout.…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Toy Dishes from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

These toy dishes were excavated in 1966 at Fort Hays in Ellis County. The large dish and the pitcher were found together while the small dish was found far apart…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Marbles from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

These marbles were excavated from Fort Hays in Ellis County in 1966. They are made of clay and glass and represent hours of fun at the fort. Fort Hays was…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Inkwell from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This inkwell was excavated at Fort Hays in Ellis County. The distinctive shape is commonly called igloo, domed, teapot, turtle, or monitor. The lettering on the side of the bottle…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Candlestick holder from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1887

This candlestick holder was excavated at Fort Hays in Ellis County. It was recovered in four pieces and reconstructed. Once someone’s proud possession, the holder is quite colorful and has…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Crucifix Holder from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This crucifix holder was excavated from Fort Hays in Ellis County. Faint lettering on the front reads “ECCO HOMO,” translated as “Behold (the) Man.” Fort Hays was added to the…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Spur from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This partial spur was excavated from historic Fort Hays in Ellis County. Despite a few nicks the heel band (yoke) and neck (shank) are in excellent condition. Fort Hays was…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Domino from Fort Hays, 14EL301

Date: 1867-1889

This domino was excavated at historic Fort Hays in Ellis County. The top was made of carved bone burned to make the three spots and then attached to a charred…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Dwight D. Eisenhower military uniform

Date: between 1944 and 1947

Olive drab uniform jacket worn by Dwight D. Eisenhower while he was Supreme Allied commander of the Allied Expeditonary Forces during World War II. U.S. Army field uniform.

Medium: PhysicalObject

WIBW studio camera

Date: 1987

Eleven photographs of a camera and tripod which belonged to WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas. The photographs were taken in March 1987.

Medium: PhysicalObject

Masonic ribbon

Date: between 1890 and 1920

Masonic ribbon from the 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite. Cross-shaped metal with a double-headed eagle at the center. The cross is black enamel with gold-colored metal trim around the…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Las Animas

Date: between 1873 and 1874

Brown wash sketch titled “Las Animas” by Jules Tavernier. Tavernier was born in Paris in 1844 and trained as an artist in France. He served as a soldier in the…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Deserted Kansas Town

Date: 1873

Grisaille watercolor sketch of a deserted town street with ramshackle buildings. The sketch is titled “Deserted Kansas Town” and was executed by Jules Tavernier. Tavernier was born in Paris in…

Medium: PhysicalObject

Eagle quilt

Date: between 1914 and 1917

Red, blue, and white eagles and blue stars appliquéd on a white background. Nine eagles, each set diagonally on a separate block. Blue star appliquéd on all four corners of…