Today’s Throwback Thursday item is a photo of the first schoolhouse in Bern, Kansas. Does anyone know the year this picture was taken? Share your insights in the comments!
The Bern Schoolhouse photo is from the Nemaha County Historical Society collection
Check out our website for more information about the Nemaha County Historical Society.
In July 1911, the Sabetha Commercial Club embarked on a county-wide tour. As part of the journey, the Seneca Commercial Club escorted the Sabetha group from Baileyville to Seneca. This event is commemorated in a historic photo of Baileyville’s Main Street and documented in the July 27, 1911 issue of the Courier Democrat.
Seneca’s Good Will.
On Thursday, the Sabetha Commercial Club, advertising their Chautauqua, made a booster junket in eighteen automobiles via the towns of Bern, DuBois, St. Benedict, Axtell, Baileyville, Seneca, and Oneida.
On Wednesday evening, members of the Seneca Commercial Club met in the clubroom and declared in favor of making up an escort of Seneca cars and piloting the Sabetha tourists from Baileyville into this place. Fifteen cars in all responded to the call, and led by C. C. K. Scoville’s big Buick, lined up promptly in Baileyville at 2:30 after a delightful run west.
The Sabetha cars were a little late pulling into Baileyville, and it was considerably past three when the Sabetha Band formed in a circle and rendered several selections for the assembled townsfolk and the Seneca escort.
Leaving the Baileyville streets, the thirty-two cars formed in alternate Sabetha and Seneca order and proceeded eastward. At Seneca, the Chautauqua boosters were piloted through the prettier Seneca streets and finally brought to a halt in front of the bandstand, where Judge Emery, as president of the Commercial Club and in the absence of Mayor Rucker, extended a short address of welcome.
The Judge made a good speech and expressed in a frank and forcible way the goodwill which Seneca bears toward its sister city and endorsed the Sabetha Chautauqua in high terms.
Rev. Hamilton of Sabetha made a response, expressing the appreciation of the Sabetha people for the reception tendered them and extending a cordial invitation to Seneca people to take advantage of the eight-day open-air entertainment, which opens there Sunday, July 30.
The Band, and Sabetha has a dandy this year, occupied the intervals with several well-played pieces. A few minutes later, the eighteen Sabetha cars took a leisurely course out of town, no doubt convinced that their excursion would be fruitful in one town at least along the route.
Check out our website for more information about the Nemaha County Historical Society.
Can anyone identify the buildings (stores) in the picture below? Is the Baileyville Bank in this picture? If so, which building?
The Baileyville Main Street photo is from the collection of the Nemaha County (KS) Historical Society
Check out our website for more information about the Nemaha County Historical Society.
The Nemaha County Historical Society Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Vice President Ilene Enneking presided in the absence of President Anita Heiman.
The board reviewed several reports, including the 2024 financial summary, a membership update, and a web presence report. Over the past year, the society welcomed 8 platinum sponsors, 41 gold sponsors, and 89 additional sponsors or members. Additionally, 68 donors contributed a total of 539 items to the historical society’s collection, bringing the number of cataloged records in the system to 12,486.
RAINBOW COMMUNICATIONS GRANT UPDATE
An update was provided on the Rainbow Communications grant, which is nearing completion. The conversion of the museum’s PastPerfect software to a cloud-based system is almost finished, while the upgrade of wireless access points will be postponed until Rainbow completes its fiber installations.
COLLECTION POLICY PROPOSED
A draft policy outlining the types of items the society collects was presented for an initial reading. The board also discussed the continued need for a printed newsletter and potential content changes.
Additionally, a calendar of upcoming activities was reviewed, along with maintenance projects for the museums.
The 2025 Board of Directors was approved, with the addition of Bill Love and Kylee Bergstram. Officers elected for 2025 are: President: Ilene Enneking; Vice President: Marcia Philbrick; Secretary: Patty Byers; Treasurer: Raymond Thieme.
STORY WALK GRANT PROPOSAL
Ellie Haynie introduced a potential grant opportunity for a “story walk” along the north side of the military museum. While still in the discussion stage, this project would highlight the stories of Nemaha County veterans from various wars.
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
The board extends its gratitude to all sponsors and members for their continued support of the society’s mission: to collect, preserve, and share the history of Nemaha County. Community members are encouraged to support the society by becoming members. Annual membership is $20 for an emailed newsletter or $25 for a printed version. Checks, along with a note requesting membership and a mailing address, may be sent to: Nemaha County Historical Society, P.O. Box 41, Seneca, KS
For more information, visit http://nemahacountyhistoricalsociety.com/.