The Kinsley Library, 208 E. 8th Street, will be hosting a discussion series entitled “Kansas Architecture: Reflections of Cultures.” Four meetings will be held on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, Feb. 12, March 12, and April 2.
The Kansas Humanities Council awarded a Heritage Grant in the amount of $2,839 to the library to partially fund this series. The KHC is a nonprofit cultural organization that connects communities with history, traditions, and ideas to strengthen civic life.
The theme for the series is “vernacular architecture” which refers to building design based on local needs, availability of construction materials, and local culture and traditions.
Topics will range from the very early earth lodges of the Plains village tribes up to modern metal buildings and environmentally sustainable construction. A variety of scholars will describe humble pioneer dugouts and soddies as well as prairie “cathedrals” and opera houses. Other topics include vintage gas stations and baseball stadiums.
The April meeting will offer an opportunity for participants to visit the Edwards County Sod House Museum and go on an architectural bus tour of Kinsley narrated by Ed Carlson, senior architect for Hollis and Miller in Overland Park. Carlson is a native of Kinsley and utilizes his extensive knowledge of the town to weave interesting stories about the people who lived and worked in the buildings.
“This will be the sixth year the Kinsley Library has hosted a popular series,” said library director Joan Weaver. “We are very excited with this year’s topic and the nine presenters who are coming from KU, KSU, WSU, and the Kansas State Historical Society. Three presenters have authored books on their topics.”
A complete description of the series and online registration are available at the library website, www.kinsleylibrary.info. A registration fee of $10 for the entire series will be collected at the first meeting. For more information, contact the library at 659-3341 or email, director@kinsleylibrary.info. Library hours are: Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9-11 a.m., 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-5 p.m.