Scheduled musical performances:
• 1:15-1:35 p.m. – Karson Higgins, Great Bend Middle School – vocal/piano presentation
• 1:40-2 p.m. – Lydia Bailey, Central Plains High School – vocal/guitar/keyboard presentation
• 2-2:30 p.m. – Piano solos presented by Central Kansas Piano Teacher’s League students
• 2:30–2:50 p.m. – Tessa Fry, Central Kansas Christian Academy – Flute solo presentation
• 3-3:30 p.m. – Great Bend Middle School – String Rhapsody
• 3:30-4 p.m. – Great Bend High School – Chamber Orchestra
Live music, refreshments and a glimpse into rural life and holiday traditions from days gone by can be enjoyed this Sunday, Dec. 11 during the Barton County Historical Society’s annual Ghosts of Christmas Past open house.
The Barton County Historical Museum & Village, located just south of the Arkansas River bridge on U.S. 281, will be open from 1-4 p.m. and admission will be free.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will stop by, the Great Bend Public Library will provide activities for children, and the Golden Belt Model Railroad Association will have model trains running in memory of Rich Fox.
The museum has vintage Christmas displays as well as trees decorated by area groups. Weather permitting, children will be able to ride the Little Train on the museum grounds.
Located on five acres south of Great Bend, the site boasts several period buildings: an 1873 native stone house, an 1898 church, a 1910 railroad depot, a 1915 school house, a small post office and a 1950 Lustron Home. The collections tell the story of this area from the Paleo Period through the Indian Wars to World War II and beyond.
Winter hours (October-March) are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the museum is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Regular admission is free to Barton County Historical Society members and $4 for non-members age 16 years and older.
This story was modified on Dec. 9 to correct information about the model train display.
