Four diverse presentations will continue the exploration into Kansas Architecture: Reflections of Cultures at the Kinsley Library’s second series meeting to be held from 2-5 p.m. on Feb. 12, at the Palace Theater in downtown Kinsley.
Jane Rhoads will begin the session by describing “Opera House Culture on the Kansas Frontier.” Rhoads is the author of “Kansas Opera Houses: Actors & Community Events, 1855-1925.” She is a popular member of the Kansas Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau.
The Palace Theater venue was chosen for this meeting as it is on the National Registry of Historic Places and mentioned in Rhoads’ book.
Rhoads is a graduate of Southwestern College and Emporia State University. She has traveled the state locating and photographing Kansas’ remaining opera houses and learning about their social and theatrical significance. Her book was the result of her 17 years of travel and research.
Judi Kirk, author of “Remnants: Prairie Gas Stations Remembered,” will follow with a nostalgic look back at vintage gas stations that can still be found in Kansas communities. Her book is beautifully illustrated with full color photographs and her talk promises to contain wonderful memories and stories connected to these buildings.
The third presenter of the afternoon will be Mark Eberle who will speak on “Kansas Baseball: 1858-1941.” His book by the same title will be published this spring by the University of Kansas Press.
Eberle, a biology professor at Fort Hays State University, has always had a love of baseball. His talk contains many interesting facts and stories that he discovered. One of local interest is that he determined Kinsley’s South Park stone grandstand to be the second oldest in the state.
The day’s presentations will end with a discussion of sustainable building by Greensburg Mayor Bob Dixson. He will highlight how his community, devastated by a tornado in 2007, has chosen to meet the challenges of rebuilding using renewable energy and “green” technologies.
The Kansas Architecture series is being partially funded by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization that connects communities with history, traditions, and ideas to strengthen civic life.
A complete description of the series with future dates and online registration is available at the library website, www.kinsleylibrary.info. Registration can also be done at the library (208 E. 8th St.) or by phone (620-659-3341). A registration fee of $10 for the entire series will be collected at the door.
Library hours are: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 9-11 a.m., 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays,