1905 Lecompton First Grade, Lecompton, Kansas
Date: 1905
Photograph of First Grade Lecompton School, 1905, as stated on the back of the photo. Albert Drake in front row in striped shirt. Lenora Caldwell, teacher. Photo mounted on board. Twenty-five students and one teacher. Standing outside in front of wooden doors and stone building. Several African American students in photo. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

1914 Lecompton Fourth Grade; Lecompton, Kansas
Date: 1914
Photograph, black and white glued on board. Class picture taken outside in front of school. 4th Grade Lecompton, 1914. Written on verso: "Taken in 1914--when Dorothy [Baughman] was in the 4th grade." Names for photograph taken from two written pages (placed in accession folder). Back row: Margrite (sp?) Wright, teacher, Olma Huey, Gerne Rogers, Ross Carlson, Julia Sehon, Mary Heise, Dale Bartlett, Russel Kerr, Hiram Scott, Don Taylor, Dorothy Drake Baughman, Horace Slavens, Paul Wagenar, George Shaw,; 2nd row: Bryan (or Carry or Harry?) Brisbine, Walter Rist, Rosa Osborn, Ollie Carter, Sarah Dummer, Alice Osborn, Eva Boswell, Edna Anderson, Joe Bronson, Fred Smith; Front Row: Welford Harmon, Frank Luckey, Grace Belcher, Fae Carlson, Catherine (or Kathrine?) Walters, Helen Hogan (or Hoagen?). Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

1924 Class of Lecompton Elementary School, Lecompton, Kansas
Date: 1924
1924 Class Photograph of Lecompton Elementary School. Two rows of students are standing in front of the Lane University building. The students have been identified on verso from left to right: Front Row: unknown, Paul Maust, Maybelle Slavens, unknown, teacher, Julia Sehon, Dorothy Drake, Edna Lasswell, Ruth Baughman; Back Row: Sarah Dummer, Ruth Nace, Flossie McRea, unknown, ? Belcher, George Shaw, unknown, unknown. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

1930-1931 First and Second Grade Class Photo, Lecompton Grade School
Date: 1930-1931
Photograph of 1st & 2nd grade, 1930-1931, Lecompton Grade Schoo. First Row (Left to Right): Billy Springer, Margaret Goodrich, Luciele Sulzen, Roy Norwood, Dorothy B. Sulzen, Betty Kolb, Robert Michael, Thomas Garcia; Second Row: Opal Laswell, Phyllis Martin, Glen Koester, Laura Holloway, Christine Traylor, Margaret Carr, Frankie Garcia; Third Row: Thelma Hemphill, John Lewis, Junior Robinson. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

34th Annual 8th Grade Graduation Exercises Douglas County Common Schools, Douglas County, Kansas
Creator: Lawrence Studio
Date: 1923
Photograph of the 34th Annual Graduation Exercises Douglas County Common Schools. Combined group photogragh of the 1923 8th grade graduates from all rural schools in Douglas County, Kansas. Identified students in 1st Row, assumed to be left to right: 6th - Wayne Hall, 7th - ? Moust, 9th - Harley Dark, 11th - Roy ?, 13th - Delmar Parrish; 2nd Row - Fae McClanaghan; 3rd Row - Grace Dark, Almira Kittering. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

4th & 5th Grade Students of Lecompton Grade School, 1892-1893, Lecompton, Kansas
Date: 1892-1893
Photograph of the 4th & 5th Grade Students of Lecompton Grade School, 1892-1893. Five rows of 4th and 5th grade school aged students are posed in front of a clapboard schoolhouse with the teacher standing on the right side. The entrance to the building consists of a wooden deck area. One four-over-four window with shutters and the doorway are visible. The teacher was Miss Belle C. Morris; she is standing on the right side wearing a long white apron. The students have been identified (from left to right): Front Row: Visitor, Earnest Coblentz, Elmer Snyder, Harold Hoffman, Ned Day; Second Row: Eddie Robinson, Merlin Maynard, Wright Wenrich; Third Row: Gertrude McClanahan, unknown, Bessie Stewart, Ina Brooks, Bonnie Winter, Mollie Haddon, Katie Slagel, Bertha Hart, Alta Butler; Fourth Row: Dana Bartlett, Bert Baughman, Frankie Fleenon, Sally McCarty, Clara Baughman, Ruth Nace, Eve Coblentz, Maude Lucas, Bertha Smith, Maude Winters, Ernest Fuller; Fifth Row: Carlos Hart, Henry Hill, Charlie Slagel, Betty Slagel, Artie Brown, Maude Brooks, Sara Jackson, Fred Smith, Frank Baughman, Hal Smith; In Doorway: David Brown, ? Henderson, Aaron Zellers. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

Alden school bus
Date: 1920
This is the first school bus purchased by Alden School (Rice County), Consolidated School District No. 9, in 1920.

Alysia Kysar to Governor Joan Finney
Creator: Kysar, Alysia
Date: March 19, 1991
Alysia Kysar of Liberal, Kansas, writes Governor Joan Finney of Topeka concerning a water rights conflict at Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands in Barton County, Kansas. Kysar is eleven years old. She argues that the importance of wildlife habitats and communal ownership of natural resources, like water, supercede the rights of individual water users along Wet Walnut Creek. Kysar further questions the suitability of irrigated agriculture to an arid environment. In Wet Walnut Irrigators v. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (1992), the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Cheyenne Bottoms, citing its earlier claim to water rights.

Andrew Atchison to John P. St. John
Creator: Atchison, Andrew
Date: August 22, 1881
In this letter, Andrew Atchison updates Kansas governor St. John on the condition of the Exoduster settlement near Dunlap, Kansas. Benjamin Singleton had established this colony in May, 1878, and according to Atchison, the black refugees (numbering around 200 families) were thriving. Another goal of Atchison's letter was to investigate the "practicability" of establishing a Business and Literary Academy in addition to their free public school. Atchison and some other white residents of the area had formed the Dunlap Aid Association to assist the Exodusters' efforts to obtain land and employment.

Assemblage
Date: 2001
Three paper dolls made to memorialize victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Days after the event, students at Topeka Collegiate Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, sent over 200 dolls to students at Viola L. Sickles Elementary School in Fair Haven, New Jersey. The dolls were a gesture of goodwill towards Fair Haven, which lost four residents in the attack. Each doll was handcrafted by students or faculty members at Topeka Collegiate and inscribed with a message. These dolls feature inscriptions from students named Brooke, who wrote, "I love NY," and Anika, who wrote, "I am sorry that your family dide [sic]."

Banner
Date: 2001
This red, white, and blue patriotic banner was displayed in reaction to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. In October 2001, shortly after the attack, the banner was produced by the fourth grade class of McCarter Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, and used in a local Halloween parade. The banner was related to a school policy banning traditional garb in favor of patriotic-themed costumes as a reaction to the events of September 11.

Bell Grade School in Atchison County, Kansas
Date: 1903-1905
This is a photo of Bell Grade School #59 students and teacher, Lancaster Township, Atchison County. The photo is for the 1904-05 school year. The school was two miles north of Lancaster. There is also a souvenier program for the 1903-04 school year. The students are listed as Eddie Dorssom, George Dorssom, Albert Dorssom, Julia Dorssom, Willie Dorssom, Ruth Dorssom, Louis Buttron, Edna Fuhrman, Laura Fuhrman, Clara Gigstad, Gena Gigstad, Harry Gigstad, Gilbert Gigstad, Julia Gigstad, Elsie Keithline, Anna Hegland, Grant Hegland, Susie Hegland, Josie Buckles, Gladness Cole, Alice Burns, Nettie Burns, Joe Hartman, Adolph Kloepper, Freddie Kloepper, Clara Petersen, Elsie Petersen, Grace Petersen, Lotta Petersen, Fred Matthias, Dessa Matthias, Willie Matthias, Max Matthias, Gladys Nettleton, Edna Nettleton, Oliver Nettleton, Robert Nettleton, William Nettleton, Guy Rule, Leon Rule, Martin Trainer. The teacher is Henry L. McLenon.

Bell Grade School in Atchison County, Kansas
Date: Between 1895 and 1896
This is a photograph showing students and teacher at Bell Grade School #59 in Lancaster Township, Atchison County. The school was two miles north of Lancaster. Students in the photo are front row (left to right): Jocy Buckles, Susie Hegland, Anna Hegland, Julie Gigstad, Annie Gigstad & Louis Buttron. Back row (left to right): Harry Gigstad, Lee Rule, Guy Rule, Jum Flatter, Jess Trion (orphan boy) and George Reinhardt, teacher.

Bell View School, Seward County, Kansas
Date: Between 1890 and 1920
This is a photograph showing the Bell View School, District 71, in Seward County, Kansas. Students, parents, and teachers are pictured in front of the building.

Big Springs School, Lecompton township, Douglas County, Kansas
Date: 1931-1932
Photograph of Big Springs School 1931-1932; young children and older children posing outside of a brick building. Most of the boys are wearing overalls with boots. Most of the girls are wearing coats. Inscribed on top margin: "Helen (eight grade) Pearl six____." Inscribed on the lower margin: "Paul not in this pic./ Pearl's 8th. gr. Clifford, Leonard, Jack, Anthony, R [upper layer of paper torn off] __lene Alma Pearl." Label glued near bottom margin: "Big Springs School -1931-1932." Names inscribed on verso: Hazel Wilson, Irene Winsor, Bessie Irene Glenn (Price), Edna Horton, Irene Swecker, Arlene Spencer, Ruth Bertschinger, Alma Henry, Rubymae Webber, Lorena Slaughter, Evelyn (Ice) Brown, Pearly Henry, Helen Wymer, Wilma Bertschinger, Ralph Spencer, Helen Henry, Orlie Ovaluson, Harld [Harold?] Thall, Mabel Wilson, Mrs. Brown, Thelma Bahnmaier, Charlene Rose Wilson, Louise Price, Lula Pearl Bahnmaier, Zolla Wilson, Anthony Ice, Olive Lee Henry, [?] Tholl, Jean Emery, Zella Sally Wilson, Judy Ice, Harold Bertschinger, Lawrence Cree, Cloyd Dreyer, Leonard Swecker, Frank Spencer, Jack Henry, Glenn Cree, Clifford Hartman, Francis Wilson, Wesley Wulfkuhle, Arthur Ward, Warren Hartman, Jr. Emery, Walter Duncan, Calvin Hartman, Vernon Spencer, Marvin Hartman. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.

Blue Mound School, Jefferson County
Date: Between 1900 and 1929
These three boys with lunch pails are walking from the Blue Mound School building near Valley Falls in Jefferson County, Kansas. Also visible in the background are a shed and a girl standing near the school.

Boswell Junior High School football team, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1962 and 1963
This black and white photo depicts the football team from Boswell Junior High School in Topeka Kansas. The team members are identified by the following rows: First Row: Eddie Townsend, Paul Tholl, Charles Scott, Jim Weir, Pat Hutcheson, Galen Holston, Kirk Snyder, Bill Larson, Jim Sapp, Steve Dolan. Second Row: Ron Fraker, Paul Morehouse, Martin Cummings, Mike Oroke, Ken Dickson, Phil Davenport, Bob Davis, Dennis Wood, Rex Gentry. Third Row: Tom Gaddie, Mike Bolley, Orange Dean, John Armstrong, Rob Balsters, Ivan Johnson, Chuck Neff, Paul Gray. Fourth Row: Steven Dean, Hilo Smith, Richard Sicks, Marvin Lawton, Preston Carrington, Bill Barker, Galen Schwarz, Walter Hatke. Fifth Row: Bruce Dolan, Gary Hodison, Mike Hutcheson, Ronny Davis, Randy Holstrom, John Majorkurth, Robert Stevenson, Jim Perry. Sixth Row: Donnell Alston, Bill Stevenson, David Wesley, Bill Gilmore, Jim Holford, Leroy Lindsey, Bill Craig, Les Dodd, Steve Wilson, Jerry Holstrom.

Brauier School, Wyandotte County, Kansas
Date: Between 1930 and 1950
This series of photographs represents the Brauier School and students in Wyandotte County, Kansas. One photograph shows students playing baseball at recess.

Canton, Kansas
Creator: Lomax, Hugh
Date: 1929
This film presents silent footage of Canton, Kansas. Beginning with a steam engine pulling into a railroad depot, the film features many street scenes, people, schools and other small town scenes. It shows many people entering and leaving the post office or general store. It also shows many school children playing games on the playground and mothers with infants.

Carmen Lopez
Date: February, 1955
This is a school picture of Carmen Lopez, who attended All Saints School in Wichita, Kansas. She is the daughter of Concepcion and Rafael Rocha Lopez, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Carmen's father served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War, and he later worked as a civil service barber at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. Beginning in 1963, her parents owned and operated Connie's Mexico Cafe in Wichita, Kansas.

Central School in Minneapolis, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1915
A postcard showing children posed in front of Central School in Minneapolis, Kansas.

Charles I. Baston interview
Creator: Baston, Charles I.
Date: May 14, 1992
Charles Baston was born in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on April 24, 1917. He attended grade school and junior high school while still living in Lee's Summit, and after junior high he moved to Topeka to attend the Kansas Vocational Technical School. He moved to Topeka permanently after his World War II discharge. Baston was a member of the executive committee of the local chapter of the NAACP during the Brown v. Board hearings. Much of his interview deals with the NAACPs role in finding plaintiffs in the Brown case, the problem with busing students to segregated schools, and other individuals who were instrumental to the success of this suit. Towards the end of the interview he also talks about how the Brown decision has not reached its full potential because of the racial prejudices that still exist today. Jean VanDelinder conducted the interview. The Brown v. Board oral history project was funded by Hallmark Cards Inc., the Shawnee County Historical Society, the Brown Foundation for Educational Excellence, Equity, and Research, the National Park Service, and the Kansas Humanities Council. Parts of the interview may be difficult to hear due to the quality of the original recording.

Children at a local fair, Marshall County, Kansas
Creator: Hawkins, Omar F. (Omar Finlay), 1890-1967
Date: 1931
This photograph shows a woman and children from Harbaugh School, District 44, at the Marshall County Fair in Marshall County, Kansas. The children, each wearing "sunflower" headbands, are holding field crops and vegetables. Two girls are holding a sign which reads "What Kansas Grows." Also visible in the background are buildings and parked cars. All of the rural school districts had a float or entry in a parade at the Marshall County Fair every year.

Children at their desks, Cimarron, Kansas
Date: 1911-1912
These children are sitting at their desks in District 101 school, Cimarron, Kansas.

Children eating, Garland, Kansas
Creator: United States. Works Progress Administration
Date: Between 1939 and 1943
Children eating a school lunch in Garland, Kansas. This lunch program was part of the Works Progress Administration.