CAPTION: CREDIT HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY
By Michael Glenn
The Hutchinson Public Library has a busy day scheduled for Kansas Day, Wednesday, Jan. 29, with public events running from the morning through the evening.
Kansas Day celebrates the anniversary of the state’s 1861 admission to the Union. Kansas was the 34th state to enter the union and will be turning 164 years old on Wednesday.
The library will begin its day at 10 a.m. in hosting a Kansas Day Author Talk. Kansas Author Jillian Forsberg will be visiting the library to discuss her debut novel “The Rhino Keeper” and share her inspiration for the novel.
“We do celebrations for Kansas Day every year,” Adult Program Coordinator at the Hutchinson Public Library, Katie Broker, said. “We put a little extra celebration in it this year. We haven’t invited an author to do a talk on that day for a while, and I’m not sure the last time a historical reenactor has visited, but we thought it was a way to celebrate our state.”
Forsberg is from Wichita and holds a Master’s degree in public history from Wichita State University and a Bachelor’s degree in communication and history from McPherson College.
“Part of what’s so special is she uses historical research to inspire historical fiction,” Broker said. “She has a very unique perspective on writing and history.”
The library will then host a “Meet President Eisenhower” event at 2:30 p.m. with Bill Nicks, a historical reenactor who will be showcasing President Dwight Eisenhower’s involvement in American politics and his presidency from 1953 to 1961.
Nicks is a Kansas City area historian who conducts historic bus tours and portrays 5 historical characters: Eisenhower, James Naismith, Octave Chanute, Wilbur Wright and Tom Pendergast, according to the library’s website.
“Our reenactment will be with President Eisenhower,” Broker said. “It will be a 30-minute presentation and a Q & A afterward.”
The library will conclude its Kansas Day festivities with a Kansas Day Movie Night featuring “Ghost Busters Frozen Empire” at 5:30 p.m.
Broker said the movie does has a Kansas connection. Actor Paul Rudd, who was featured in the movie, lived in Olathe for some time.
Throughout the day, the library will have “grab bags” with snacks and library merchandise as well as a scavenger hunt for prairie dogs and extraterrestrial visitors.
The Hutchinson Public Library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
