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Milken Center unveils Jewish history exhibit
Never ever forget.
Those were a few of the words from a poem written by a Holocaust survivor. The entire poem was read aloud by Kansas City resident Gayle Krigel during the grand opening of a new exhibit showcasing Jewish history in Fort Scott Wednesday at the Lowell Milken Center, 4 S. Main St.
The exhibit, titled "Fort Scott: Our Jewish Past," features photographs of the town's Jewish community following the Civil War.
"I think Jewish genealogy is important," said Kate Emmett-Sweetser, the exhibit's curator. She said it's important because for a 1,000 years there was oppression of the Jewish family tree in Europe. "This is a way to help recapture memories. I hope people will be encouraged to retrace their family trees."
Emmett-Sweetser started working on the project full-time last November.
She began, long before that, by asking a question: Why is there a Jewish cemetery named Pine Lawn located on 250th Street south of Fort Scott, but there is no Jewish community in Fort Scott? That question led Emmett-Sweetser to begin researching the history of Pine Lawn nearly five years ago. She conducted all of the geological and historical research for the project.
According to Emmett-Sweetser's research:
In the decades following the Civil War, Fort Scott had a significant Jewish community. Most were German Jews who practiced reform Judaism with varying degrees of observance. Many were immigrants from Saarland and Prussia. They were mostly merchants. Some stayed only for a short time and by the time of World War II, most of the Jewish families were gone from the Fort Scott area.
Many of the Jewish merchants held offices in the fraternal organizations and were among the first members of the country club. In fact, in 1878, Fort Scott even had a Jewish mayor, Morris Cohen.
After the special exhibit showing, a group took a trolley ride to Pine Lawn to view several of the Jewish graves.
Many of Fort Scott's Jewish community were interred in Pine Lawn. In fact, of the 170 marked graves, about half represent Fort Scott.
Part of Emmett-Sweetser's research includes collecting photos of the Jewish families who once lived in Fort Scott. All are digital reproductions of the original. Two of 26 photos were donated by local residents, but the balance have come from descendants of local Jewish families.
Three students from Jayhawk-Linn High School displayed their art work depicting Jewish subjects and themes during the reception. Their works were selected for special recognition from among related works by other students. First place winner Michael Alba received $75 and a certificate of recognition. Second place winner Ashley Stark received a certificate and a $50 prize. Third place winner Tiera Whitley also received a certificate and took home a $25 prize.
Their art work is remains as part of the total exhibit. Emmett-Sweetser's exhibit also inspired other projects at the Lowell Milken Center. Other collections on display include items from the "Life in a Jar" project about Polish Holocaust heroine Irena Sendler, and displays focusing on the hardships of a migrant mother with her children and on the growing Amish community in Bourbon County.