Cool Things in the Collection, Kansas Museum of History
Summary: Get an insider's perspective on the most interesting objects in the collections of the Kansas Museum of History. Each biweekly episode features a different curator talking about a different object, always something featured on our web site. It's the best of our nation's history--not just Kansas, but important events for the whole United States. There's something for everyone, from the Civil War to the Cold War, Abraham Lincoln to Amelia Earhart, tornadoes to travel. You can access the full stories (with images) on the Web at http://www.kshs.org. Just look for the Cool Things link.
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- Artist: Kansas Historical Society
- Copyright: Copyright 2011 KSHS
Podcasts:
The fad in the 1960s was for friends to autograph stuffed animals. This stuffed dog is covered with the signatures of its owner's classmates, as well as the autograph of one very famous coach.
Panama hats symbolized power in the first half of the 20th century. This expensive headgear was the mark of a well-traveled man. Today's episode considers a Panama hat worn by President Harry Truman.
Imagine a world in which the living commune with the dead. Most people today find that a bizarre concept, but 100 years ago it was a fun pasttime for the Wichita family who used this Ouija board.
J.P. Morgan was a powerful man who held vast wealth and controlled finance and transportation around the United States. Should one man be so powerful? Political cartoonist Albert Reid didn't think so, and expressed his distaste in this antitrust cartoon.
Politics was a rough business in the 1930s. Kansas governor Alf Landon knew the stakes were high, so he traveled with this lead lectern during the 1936 presidential campaign.
You scream, we all scream for ice cream! Hear how farm kids at Kansas State University brought this tasty frozen dessert to the masses when we consider this ice cream box from the K-State dairy.
Ladies, are you tired of spending hours at the gym instead of watching TV or napping? Then, the Walton Belt Vibrator is the machine for you! Today we consider a 1960s exerciser that will make you long for the good old days.
One of the most popular syndicated comic strips in the mid-20th century was Walt Kelly's Pogo. It offered a satirical take on society and politics. This original strip from 1954 introduced readers to a mythical Kansas bird, the Jayhawk.
This summer our nation is taking its 23rd census of the population. These days the forms arrive in the mail, but a century ago census takers went door to door. This satchel was used by one of them in Kansas.
At least three Kansas families have enjoyed this tandem bicycle. They all rode in the southern part of the state, where the land is flat but the wind is strong. Riding into a Kansas headwind makes any cyclist appreciate healthy lungs and sturdy legs.
There are many symbols for the United States. Perhaps the strongest national personification is the character known around the world as Uncle Sam. This military recruiting poster has been widely reproduced and caricatured since World War I.
Carry Nation makes the top ten on every famous Kansans list for her trademark smashing of illegal saloons. An admirer sent the reformer this heavy hammer to use in her prohibition crusade.
In honor of Memorial Day, we consider a service flag that was proudly displayed by a Kansas family during World War I. Their son was serving his country over there.
Baseball has long been known as America's pastime, but like many of our country's institutions, it has a history of racial segregation. Today we consider a program from a 1950s game between two Negro Leagues teams.
Gun collectors covet this rare and beautiful 18th century Pennsylvania-made rifle. How did it end up in Kansas? We'd like to know the answer to that question, too.
