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Parks named a Notable Kansan
Fort Scott native Gordon Parks is one of five Notable Kansans announced by Gov. Sam Brownback during an event Wednesday at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Brownback visited Fort Scott to make the third of five announcements of the top 25 notable Kansans as selected by individuals on the governor's blue ribbon panel for history. Other names revealed during the event, which was attended by about 100 people, are Walter Chrysler, John Steuart Curry, Alfred Landon, and George Sternberg.
"This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the people and events that have made a difference in Kansas history," Brownback said. "We want to excite Kansans about their heritage and inspire our young people to embrace the importance and relevance of our state's history and its people."
During his remarks, Brownback said he has enjoyed being part of an "exciting project." He said the names of the notable Kansans are being announced in "no particular order." He also talked about Kansas' place in past events, saying the state has had an "incredible impact on history."
Concerning Parks, Brownback said the Fort Scott native made an incredible "impact during a difficult time."
Kansas Historical Society Executive Director Jennie Chinn was one of the special guest speakers.
"The reason we're here today is very exciting," she said. "These are people who have changed the lives of people at the time they lived and today."
Jill Warford, director of the Gordon Parks Museum and Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College, was thrilled the noted photographer, author, filmmaker, artist and musician was among those celebrated.
"This is a person who is very near and dear to my heart," she said. "I feel good. I feel proud he was recognized."
A brief reception, courtesy of the Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, took place following Brownback's comments and the unveiling of the five notable Kansans.
Attendees also sang "Home on the Range," the official state song of Kansas. Music was provided by the Fort Scott High School string quartet.
Artifacts relating to each notable Kansan announced Wednesday and provided by the Kansas Historical Society were available for viewing.
Brownback received help from a group of Fort Scott Middle School students in unveiling photos of the notable Kansans. A special presenter made comments about each Kansan and challenged audience members to guess the name prior to its reveal.
Presenters included Warford, Robert Tersinar, Anne Emerson, Don Lambert and Dr. Larry Martin.
Wednesday's event was one of a series Brownback is holding to announce these stars from the state.
The final two announcements will take place Sept. 7 at Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, and Sept. 15 at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.
The first 10 names revealed at events earlier this month in Topeka and Fairway include: Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, John Brown, Arthur Capper, Charles Curtis, Fred Harvey, Cyrus K. Holliday, Karl Menninger, James Naismith, Satanta, and Charles Sheldon.
The blue ribbon panel for history includes: Don Chubb, Topeka; Dr. Virgil Dean, Kansas Historical Society; Gayle Garrelts, Hays; Dr. James Hoy, Emporia State University; Bob Keckeisen, Kansas Historical Society; Nathan McAlister, Royal Valley High School; Dr. Leo Oliva, Woodston; Mary Regan, Finney County Historical Society; J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio; Dr. James Shortridge, University of Kansas; and Dr. Raymond Wilson, Fort Hays State University.
Brownback appointed this panel of historians and others interested in history, which invited the public to recommend notable Kansans and historic Kansas events.
The panel then reviewed the suggestions and narrowed the list to 25 people and 12 events.
"The panel came up with a great group," he said.
Events commemorating the top 10 events in Kansas history will be held later in the fall.
Other notable Kansans announced Wednesday were:
* Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation who was born in Wamego, Kan., and grew up in Ellis.
* John Steuart Curry, born in Dunavant, Kan., an American painter who was noted for his paintings depicting life in his home state.
* Alfred Landon, a Republican politician, banker and oilman who served as the 26th governor of Kansas from 1933-1937.
Landon was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Kansas at the age of 17. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1908.
* George Sternberg, a paleontologist born in Lawrence, Kan., who was best known for his discovery in Gove County, Kan., of the "fish-within-a-fish" fossil specimen.