Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Portrait of Gordon Parks


Fort Scott, Kan. Dec.7, 2023 – A portrait of Gordon Parks painted by Elliott Coke O’Neal of Lawrenceville, Ga., was donated recently to the Gordon Parks Museum.

O’Neal rendered the image in 2009 during an art class at Georgia State College in Atlanta, where he
was a sophomore. He had given the portrait to his great-grandmother, Laverne Person, in Fort Scott the year it was finished.

O’Neal’s grandparents, Arthur Greene and Janice Person-Greene, originally from Fort Scott, who now reside in Olathe, visited the museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College to formally donate the painting on O’Neal’s behalf.

For information on the Gordon Parks Museum, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, 620) 223-2700,
ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
.
Janice Person-Greene (left) donating the painting on behalf of their grandson, Elliott Coke O’ Neal.
Photo take by Arthur Greene.
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Gordon Parks Birthday Celebration Is November 30

Gordon Parks. Submitted photo.

 

Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850                                                

Email: [email protected]

Website: gordonparkscenter.org

 

The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’ birthday on Thursday, November 30th with the showing of films throughout the day. The events are free of charge and the public is invited to attend.

The schedule throughout the day will include:

 

9:25 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Showing of the Criterion Collection film, The Learning Tree.

 

11:25 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. – Showing of the Criterion Collection films The Movie Makers, a featurette that shows Parks on location for The Learning Tree film.  And My Father: Gordon Parks, (1969), a documentary made on the set of The Learning Tree, narrated by Gordon Parks Jr., and featuring on the set interviews with Gordon Parks Sr. and members of the cast and crew.

 

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Join us for Birthday Cake in the Gordon Parks Museum on the Fort Scott Community College Campus Center.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Showing of the film Moments Without Proper Names.

 

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to receive a 25% birthday discount on all apparel items.

Parks, born in Fort Scott on November 30, 1912, would have been 111 this year.  He died on March 7, 2006, at the age of 93.  The films will be shown in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620- 223-2700, ext. 5850, or by email at [email protected]

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Gordon Parks Museum Newsletter

new logo July 2018 with address.jpg

Gordon Parks Museum

News, Events & Updates

October 27, 2023

A Journey to Gordon Parks’ Legacy in Paris

Gordon Parks Academy Stem Leaders in Applied and Media Arts

GoFundMe Page

Hello and welcome to the Gordon Parks Trailblazer Foundation GoFundMe page! For the past seven years, we have proudly partnered with A.R.I.S.E. Kansas African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble Inc, an organization dedicated to renewing interest in Spirituals through music and spoken word, educating people of all cultures about the significance of Spirituals from the underground railroad to the Civil Rights Movement. .

Read more…

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant

 

New Billboard Replacement

on North 69 HWY

A grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation helped support the replacement of the Gordon Parks Museum Billboard on North 69 Highway outside of Fort Scott, Kansas.

Read more…

Gordon Parks Museum Receives a Cross from

the African American Methodist Episcopal (AME)

Shane Walker, resident of Fort Scott, KS and longtime admirer of Gordon Parks, has donated one of the church crosses that was found in the African American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

 

Read more…

The 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration 2024

Save the date for the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration,

Oct 3 – 5, 2024. More details and information will be coming throughout the year.

We would like to thank everyone that was able to attend this last years celebration and we would like to thank all of the area business, organizations and individuals that helped to support the 20th Annual Celebration. We are looking forward to having you all back in 2024!

Find us on the website link below
Gordon Parks Museum Website
Keep in Touch..
Facebook
Gordon Parks Museum | 2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

GORDON PARKS MUSEUM RECEIVES FORT SCOTT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT FOR BILLBOARD REPLACEMENT

The new Gordon Parks Museum sign, located on north Hwy. 69, on the outskirts of Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

A grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation helped
support the replacement of the Gordon Parks Museum billboard on North U.S. Highway 69 on the town’s outskirts.

The billboard, which sustained extensive wind damage last spring and summer, is completely different than the previous version with less text and more “eye-catching” graphics, said Kirk Sharp,
the museum’s executive director.

“The new billboard is a great attraction for visitors not only for the museum but also creates great attention and welcome to the community,” he said.

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Call the Foundation at (620) 224-6500 with questions about the Community Foundation or go to https://fsacf.com/.

“We are very thankful to be part of this grant,” Sharp said. “This grant allows us to not only replace and install the billboard, but to enhance it and make it easier to see and read while drivers are
traveling and coming into town.”

“We would also like to thank CDL Electric for help with the artwork and installation and replacement of
the new billboard.”
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Gordon Parks Museum Receives a Cross from the African American Methodist Episcopal Church

Shane Walker, left, and Kirk Sharp hold the cross that Walker donated to the Gordon Parks Museum earlier this month. Submitted photol.

Shane Walker, a resident of Fort Scott,  and longtime admirer of Gordon Parks, has donated one of the church crosses that was found in the African American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

The donation was held during one of the Gordon Parks Celebration events on Saturday, October 7, “History of the Hawkins/Plaza School and All-School Reunion.”

The wooden cross stands approximately, 3ft-by-5ft and has fixtures for a lighted bulb display.

“We are so very thankful to Shane for this wonderful contribution to our museum.” said Kirk Sharp, museum, executive director. “This cross is great addition with our other artifacts from the AME Church that includes a stain glass window, church pews, corner stone and much more.”

The AME church was located on the southeast corner of Third and Lowman Streets before it was torn down in 2001. Gordon Parks and his family attended this church regularly. The church was also used in a scene from Parks’ acclaimed film, The Learning Tree.

Revised 2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home
and Roots” poetry contest, sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen. Fifteen
entries were received and the winner of First Place was Zian Butler Perez, Manassas, VA
with the poem titled “An Ode to White Rice, Ketchup, and Heuvo Frito.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas,
Wichita, KS with the poem “Tea Time.” by Kelly Hams Pearson, Parkville, MO. Third Place was Andrew Hall,
Shawnee, KS with the poem, “I am You, Kansas.”
There were three Honorable Mentions named: “Circle.” by Kristin Chambers,
Waverly, KS, “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada,
MO) “Breaking” by Lynne Schmidt, Norway, ME and
Hanamo, Flo Au, (Hong Kong)
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75,
and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was
inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.
Poets were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet
and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah. The poetry exhibit
will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page
facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.

2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home
and Roots” poetry contest, sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen.

Fifteen entries were received and the winner of First Place was Zian Butler Perez, Manassas, VA with the poem titled “An Ode to White Rice, Ketchup, and Heuvo Frito.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas,
Wichita, KS with the poem “Tea Time.” by Kelly Hams Pearson, Parkville, MO. Third Place was Andrew Hall, Shawnee, KS with the poem, “I am You, Kansas.”

There were three Honorable Mentions named: “Circle.” by Kristin Chambers, Waverly, KS, “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Breaking” by Lynne Schmidt, Norway, ME and Hanamo, Flo Au, (Hong Kong)

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah.

The poetry exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum’s Facebook page
facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.

 

2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Photo Contest Winners Named

Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home and Roots” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen.

Seventy-Five entries were received and the winner of First Place was Karen Cayce, Wichita, KS with the photo titled “Family
Legacy.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas, Wichita, KS with the photo “Class Family.” Third Place was McKinely Sutton, Uniontown, KS with the photo, “Children.”

There were five Honorable Mentions named: “House.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Follow the Leader” by McKinley Sutton, (Uniontown, KS) “Me and Pa.” by Makiah Woods, (Bronson, KS), “Girl and Sheep”, by Johanna Walker, (Franklin, KS)

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest were professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.

The photo exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum
Facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.

 

Camber Coffee at Gordon Parks Museum on Oct. 5

ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Gordon Parks Museum

Thursday, October 5th

8am

2108 S. Horton St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, October 5th at 8 a.m. hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

The Chamber Coffee will kick off the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration to be held this weekend for which the full schedule of events may be found on gordonparkscenter.org. The Celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Museum, and the committee work throughout the year to bring in artists, speakers, programs, and events that have enriched our community and world for all ages. A highlight this year is the “Celebration Dance Party” featuring KC All Stars at the River Room Event Center. KC All Stars was voted the “Best Band in Kansas City” by KCMB-TV for the last four years in a row! Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620.223.2700 ext. 5850.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Click here for their Facebook Page!

We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter

Jill Warford: The 2023 Inaugural Learning Tree Award

Jill Warford. Submitted photo.

Jill Warford, Former Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, will be the recipient of the “Gordon Parks Learning Tree Award” at the annual celebration tribute dinner on October 7th, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.

The Learning Tree Award was established in May of 2023 in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the Celebration Tribute Dinner.

Named after Gordon’s semi-autobiographical novel and film of the same name, this powerful story tells of a young man growing into manhood in the 1920’s while dealing with racism, poverty, tragic events and love. The story is also of a mother who places love, dignity and hard work over hatred. She teaches him about life lessons learned and allows Cherokee Flats to be his Learning Tree.

“The Learning Tree Award” is an award created to recognize an individual that is either emerging in the field of arts with exceptional artistic merit, supporting and promoting of the arts, or championing of the arts by their outstanding dedication, perseverance, commitment to excellence in their community.

“We are very excited to have Jill as the inaugural recipient of this award,” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director.

Jill Warford was hired in January of 2004 by Fort Scott Community College to assist with Alumni and Advancement and to develop a way to honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks. She brought with her a wealth of experience with past positions in alumni, development, public relations, graphic design, and as the director of the William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College. She had developed a relationship with Gordon Parks when he was honored at the Inge Festival in 1996 and with his blessing, she founded and directed the annual Gordon Parks Celebration, which launched in October of 2004, and eventually she was instrumental in starting the Gordon Parks Museum at FSCC. At the helm for fifteen years, she retired in October of 2018 and currently resides in Independence, Kansas.

This event is for everyone and open to the public.

Please reserve tickets early by Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023 for all the reserved events. The 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration will have a wide range of great events and activities for all to enjoy.

The Celebration kicks off on Thursday, Oct 5 with a chamber coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum and ends with The Tribute Celebration Dinner at The Liberty Theater in Fort Scott on Saturday, Oct 7, 2023.

For tickets, call 620 -223-2700 ext. 5850. or register at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/…/celebration-tribute…

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Tickets Available for KC Allstars Dance Party Oct.6

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Gordon Parks Museum….

Celebration Dance Party!

Gordon Parks Museum presents “Celebration Dance Party” featuring KC All Stars!

KC All Starts was voted “Best Band In Kansas City” by KCMB-TV for the last four years in a row!

Friday, October 6th 2023

The River Room

3 W. Oak St.

Fort Scott, Ks

Doors Open at 6:30pm

Performance at 7:30pm

Tickets: $25 each or $30 at the door

Cash Bar Available

Tickets available at the Gordon Park Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620.223.2700 ext. 5850.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Gordon Parks Celebration Lunch & Learn Events: Oct. 5-7

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Gordon Parks Museum….

Lunch & Learn Events!

Gordon Parks Museum is hosting a Gordon Parks Celebration Lunch & Learn Event!

Thursday, October 5th, 2023 at 12pm

“Learning from Gordon Parks”

Ann Dean, Freelance Photographer and Artist will talk about Gordon Parks Documentation of American life and culture. In this presentation Ann discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’ books: Our program is brought to us by Humanities Kansas.

Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 11:30am

“Harlem Renaissance and the Renaissance Man”

Randal Jelks, Professor of African and African American Studies and American Studies at University of Kansas. This presentation will share the history, journey, and connection of two titans of the early 20th century – Langston Hughes, a poet and a playwright, and Gordon Parks. Our program is brought to us by Humanities Kansas.

Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 2:30pm

“Back to Fort Scott, Now”/”I Needed Paris

Update”

Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Shreepad Joglekar, Associate Professor, Kansas State University and Jason Miccolo Johnson, former Professor, Savannah State University. This presentation of the “Back to Fort Scott, Now” project, is the re-imaging and tribute of Gordon Parks photos that he had taken in Fort Scott, KS in 1950. And an update and photos of the “I Needed Paris” project that took a group of African American photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks did in the 1950s.

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 11:30am

“History of the Hawkins/Plaza School and All-School Reunion”

This presentation and event will explore the history of the (1884-1956) segregated Hawkins/Plaza School that Gordon Parks attended. We will also honor former students that attended either school throughout the years. Join us as we take the journey through time to learn about the school(s).

See dates, times, and full schedule at gordonparkscenter.org.

Questions? Call us at 620.223.2700, ext. 5850

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701