Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum

National Humanities Alliance Adds The Gordon Parks Museum

Leave a comment

Gordon Parks Museum’s “The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail” selected to the NEH for ALL Website Profile

Fort Scott, KS- The Gordon Parks Museum is pleased to announce The Learning Tree Film Trail is now part of the National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, NEH for All, profile website https://nehforall.org/projects/gordon-parks-fort-scott.
The film trail is a series of signs located at the different locations where the filming of The Learning Tree took place. The signs will also include QR codes along with a virtual tour of the identified scene locations of the film. This project received funding by Humanities Kansas that was received from NEH.
“We are very honored, thankful, and thrilled that the National Humanities Alliance Foundation selected our Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail as one of the spotlight projects across the nation,” says Kirk Sharp, Director of The Gordon Parks Museum. “This is an excellent opportunity to help further our outreach of this project nationwide and to keep the legacy of The Learning Tree film and Gordon Parks alive.”
The National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, NEH for All, spotlights more than 260 exemplary projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through its website NEHforAll.org. Established in 1965, the NEH recognizes the unique role the humanities play in fostering the wisdom, vision, and knowledge required to participate in a thriving democracy. To this day, the NEH supports excellence in humanities research, teaching, and lifelong learning opportunities that provide millions of Americans the knowledge of our history and culture essential for engaged citizenship. NEHforAll.org highlights that excellence.
The National Humanities Alliance Foundation advances the humanities by conducting and supporting research on the humanities and communicating the value of the humanities to a range of audiences including elected officials and the general public. The grant projects featured on the website are a sampling from across the country and represent the significant investments the NEH is making in our communities. The NEH for All website highlights many valuable investments in an easily searchable form, showing the incredible impact access to the humanities has on people of all ages and walks of life. NEH for All features National Endowment for the Humanities grantees, as well as grantees of the state and jurisdictional councils, across
all 50 states and shows the impact of each project, drawing the connection from the initial funding of a grant to the end result.
Featured projects, funded with large and small grants alike, demonstrate excellence in humanities work. From preserving American heritage, to providing resources and training for educators, fostering community conversations, and developing award-winning exhibitions, their efforts have long-lasting impacts on their communities and on the American public.
Cumulatively, the projects highlight the galvanizing effect of NEH funding in rural and urban communities. For those who use the site, NEH for All is an opportunity to learn about the kinds of humanities work that goes on in their communities and across the United States. Visitors can search projects by state or organizational type and explore the tangible benefits the grants have on specific impact areas, including preserving cultural heritage; ensuring rural access to high-quality programming; enriching K–12 education; providing lifelong learning opportunities for diverse audiences; facilitating community dialogue; supporting cutting-edge research; fostering local tourism; supporting veterans; promoting civic education; and collecting and curating local histories.
NEH for All is an initiative of the National Humanities Alliance Foundation. Visit the website at http://nehforall.org/.
On the set of the filming of the Learning Tree, 1968.
Photo courtesy of the Special Collections & University Archives, Axe Library, Pittsburg State University.
Grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail at the Annual Gordon Parks Celebration, Oct 7, 2021.
###

Gordon Parks Museum, History

Many Fires This Time: Black History Month Film at Gordon Parks Museum

Leave a comment
Many Fires This Time. Submitted photo.

Gordon Parks Museum Black History Month Celebration: Featuring Film Screening: Many Fires This Time: We The 100 Million and Open Mic Afternoon Event
Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Museum in celebration of Black History Month, will feature a film screening of
the film Many Fires This Time: We The 100 Million and an open mic event. The open mic afternoon event will start at 2:00pm and the film screening will start at 3:30p.m at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on Sunday, February 20th, 2022. This event is supported in part by the Fort Scott Community College Endowment Foundation.

Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

The film Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million is an award-winning documentary film that received the Gordon Parks Black Film Excellence Honorable Mention Award at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. Directed by Jason R.A. Foster, and produced by Michael “Quess?” Moore and Jeremy Liu, Many Fires This Time: We The 100 Million is a poetic documentary about the 1 in 3 Americans, and counting, living in economic insecurity. It follows the journey of poet and activist A Scribe Called Quess? as he connects with fellow activist poets and the communities they represent, from Oakland to Chicago to Kentucky to his hometown of New Orleans.
The open mic afternoon event will take place prior to the film screening and is for any poets, rappers, musicians, or artists of all ages to read their work. Bring your friends, your poetry, your instruments, your beats, your inspirations, your creativity, and your talent! No sign-up necessary, just hop on the mic when you’re ready! Filmmakers Jason R.A. Foster and Michael “Quess?” Moore will be here in Fort Scott to showcase their film and visit with the audience and also M.C. the open mic event. Both the open mic event and film screening is free to attend and participate.
“We are thrilled and fortunate to be able to have both of these very talented filmmakers and artists, Jason and Quess? here in Fort Scott to showcase their award winning film and to help host the open mic event for current and inspiring artist and enthusiasts. ” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.

Jason R.A. Foster. Submitted photo.

Jason R.A. is an actor, filmmaker and photographer born in Kingston, Jamaica, and has lived the majority of his life in the American South. He has had roles in films Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Get Hard, and 22 Jump Street. He is the co-founder of FosterBear Films. His short documentaries and films include: Seeing Sounds, Requiem for a Season, Alfred Marshall, A Conversation with John O’Neal , Greater than the Sum (Rethink), Rethink: Restorative Justice. Residual, Neegro’s: And What Happened After That?, and Explanation. Jason’s music videos’ include: Tank and the Bangas: Quick, Sunni Patterson; Black Back, Come Home, Modern Romance, and Brighton Beach: Marce’ Reazon Ft. Ro Ransom.
Jason has taught film classes to the New Orleans community through the New Orleans Video Access Center
and Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools. His nomadic lifestyle has contributed to his ability to tell stories
and connect with people from all walks of life.

A Scribe Called Quess. Submitted photo.

A Scribe Called Quess? Aka Michael “Quess?” Moore is a poet, educator, actor, playwright, activist, and
organizer in that order. He is a two-time national poetry slam champion and founding member of Team SNO
(Slam New Orleans), New Orleans’ three-time national poetry slam championship team. His poetry has been
published or featured by Pluck!, Nike, Congo TV, Balcony TV, Button Poetry, Write About Now Poetry, Spotify,
Mic, Redbull, and other platforms, and has earned him honors from the mayor and city council of New
Orleans. His words led him to the classroom where he served for 11 years as an educator. His work as an
educator has been highlighted on NPR in the Voices of Educators series as well as taken him to Oxford
University to speak on school reform.
For more information about the events contact the Gordon Parks Museum by phone (620) – 223-2700, ext.
5850 or by email [email protected].

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Gordon Parks Museum

Chamber Coffee hosted by The Gordon Parks Museum

Leave a comment


The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, January 13th at 8 a.m. hosted by The Gordon Parks Museum, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

The Chamber Coffee will be in the Ellis Fine Arts Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be provided.

The Chamber Coffee will be the kick-off event in honor of Gordon Parks and his tribute to Marin Luther King Jr.

The museum has scheduled a series of events which will include a free admission tribute ballet performance by the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.

There will also be film showings on Friday January 14th and Monday January 17th of Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights.

A Lunch & Learn event will be held on both days that will include a reading of the “I Have A Dream” speech by the Fort Scott High School Advanced Drama students on the 14th, and Prisca Barnes speaking on “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In” event that happened in Wichita.

In addition to all of this, the community is invited and encouraged to bring canned food or cleaning products from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the museum which is in recognition of King’s Day.

This is a service event that will happen nationally. These canned goods/cleaning products will be presented to The Beacon, a local helping agency. Please, no out-of-date goods.

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

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Leave a comment
In honor of Gordon Parks and his tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.,
The Gordon Parks Museum has scheduled a series of events to celebrate his life.
Starting on January 13th at 7pm
The Gordon Parks Museum Presents:
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s: Ever Present
Then, on Friday, Jan. 14th and Monday, Jan. 17th, the film showings of
Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights
After the first film on January 14th, there will be a Lunch & Learn in the Ellis Arts Center at 12pm. The Fort Scott High School Advanced Drama students will be reading the “I Have A Dream” speech given by Martin Luther King.
The community is invited and encouraged to bring canned food or cleaning products from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the museum which is in recognition of King’s day of service events that will happen nationally. These canned goods/cleaning products will be presented to The Beacon, a local helping agency. Please, no out-of-date goods.
After the 1st film on the 17th, the Lunch & Learn event by Prisca Barnes, will be speaking on the “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In”, an event that happened in Wichita.
A free lunch will be provided by Luther’s BBQ. Drinks and desserts will be provided by Great Western Dining.
Bourbon County, Gordon Parks Museum, Health Care

Health Department COVID-19 Guidelines

Leave a comment

 

SEK Multi-County Health Department of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties provided the following:

 

2022 Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

January 4, 2022

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19:

ISOLATE

EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS:

  • Stay home for at least 5 days
  • Stay home as long as you have symptoms. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms resolve, you can leave your house after a minimum of 5 days of isolation.
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days after you leave isolation.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19:

QUARANTINE PROCEDURES

IF YOU ARE VACCINATED:

IF YOU: Have been boosted

OR

Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J vaccines within the last 2 months

 YOU SHOULD:

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days
  • Test on day 5, if possible
  • If you develop symptoms at any time, get tested and stay home.

IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED:

IF YOU: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than 6 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J more than 2 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Are unvaccinated

 YOU SHOULD:

  • Stay home for 5 days
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days
  • Test on day 5, if possible
  • If you develop symptoms at any time, get tested and stay home

*Please note: these guidelines are not for healthcare workers, school-aged children, or people living in congregate settings.

Gordon Parks Museum, History

Martin Luther King Celebrated Next Week

Leave a comment
Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

The Gordon Parks Museum staff has been calling attention to and celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. for a decade, according to Kirk Sharp, the executive director of the museum for three years.

“King was an activist, a (black)Baptist minister during the civil rights protests, who fought for change to eliminate racial inequality, all through non-violence,” Sharp said.

Kirk Sharp. Submitted photo.

The community is invited and encouraged to learn more about his life, which is celebrated nationally around January 15, his birthdate.

Several days are planned to celebrate King’s life in Fort Scott.

This celebration will be done through a series of diverse events: dramatic readings, ballet, films, Lunch and Learns, and the sharing of food.

Events start on Thursday, January 13 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

The day begins with the museum staff hosting the Fort Scott Area Chamber Coffee at 8:00 am.

At 7 p.m. that evening, a Kansas City ballet group will do a  tribute performance in honor of Martin Luther King and Gordon Parks

The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey: Ever Present will give a free performance that is funded by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.

A reception will follow the performance with light refreshments hosted by Great Western Dining, the FSCC food service provider.

Friday, January 14, a Lunch and Learn in the Ellis Arts Center at noon will feature the Fort Scott High School Advanced Drama students reading the “I Have A Dream” speech given by King. The students are under the direction of teacher Angela Bin.

FSCC students and members of the community will also do some readings related to Martin Luther King, Sharp said.

A reception will follow with birthday cake in honor of King’s birthday.

Lunch and dessert will be provided by Great Western Dining.

The day will also include three film showings at 9:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm, all related to the American Civil Rights Movement.

The celebration will wrap up on Monday, Jan 17th, with a Lunch and Learn event at noon by Prisca Barnes, speaking on the “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In”, an event that happened in Wichita.

A free lunch will be provided by Luther’s BBQ. Drinks and desserts will be provided by Great Western Dining.

 

The community is invited and encouraged to bring canned food or cleaning products from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the museum which is in recognition of King’s day of service events that will happen nationally. These canned goods/cleaning products will be presented to The Beacon, a local helping agency. Please, no out-of-date goods.

The Fort Scott Community College Endowment Foundation is a key contributor to the celebration events.

All events will take place at both the Gordon Parks Museum and Ellis Fine Arts Center.

Civil Rights films will also be shown throughout the day on Friday and Monday.

On Friday, Jan. 14, the community can view the beginning of the series of films Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights which starts at 9 a.m. with Awakening,  about the murder of Emmett Till and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

At 1:30 p.m. view Fighting Back, a story of the Little Rock Nine and James Meredith.

At 3:30 p.m. view Ain’t Scared of Your Jails, a story of the Nashville sit-ins/boycotts and the Freedom Riders.

On Jan. 17,  at 9 a.m. view No Easy Walk, stories from Georgia and Alabama, and the Walk to Washington.

Martin Luther King.

At 10:30 a.m., Mississippi: Is This America? stories of Medgar Evers and the “Mississippi Burning” murders.

And at 1:30 p.m. A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr by Gordon Parks.

The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.

Gordon Parks.

For more information call the Gordon Parks Museum at

620-223-2700 ext. 5850.

Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History, Kansas

In Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.: Lunch and Learn

Leave a comment

There will be a Lunch and Learn about segragation practices in Wichita in the 1950s on Monday, January 17th, 2022, from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

Attendance is free.

Lunch provided by Luther’s BBQ (visitors may bring their own lunch)
Drinks and desserts provided by Great Western Dining.

The event is called Martin Luther King, Jr.  Lunch and Learn  “Dockum Drugstore Sit-In”

The presentation explores Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore Sit-In
Guest Speaker is  Prisca Barnes.

In July 1958, Black Students gathered at Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore to stage a peaceful protest against the unequal practice of segregation. Although this protest was not publicized in the newspapers in 1958, the students participating in the demonstration worked to gain access to public spaces, like movie theaters and restaurants. This presentation discusses the details of the sit-in, explores how these protests helped transform the struggle for racial equality, and considers contemporary non-violent protests.

Prisca Barnes is the founder of Storytime Village, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Wichita that promotes reading among low-income children and families. She is a passionate advocate for equity in education and literacy.

“The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

For more information about “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In” contact the Gordon Parks Museum.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Leave a comment
Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held, with several events planned in Fort Scott.

The events will start on Thursday, January 13th at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The day will include with hosting of the Fort Scott Area Chamber Coffee at 8:00 am and later that evening, a free ballet tribute performance at 7:00 pm by The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey: Ever Present.

This is a tribute in honor of Martin Luther King and Gordon Parks. This performance is funded by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Thursday, January 13th – Tribute to Martin
7 p.m. – Alvin Ailey’s Kansas City Dance Group Ballet Performance
Gordon Parks: Tribute to Martin Luther King (FREE Event) – Ellis Fine Arts Center • Doors open at 6 p.m. • Reception to follow, which includes a meet and greet with performers and drinks and refreshments

Friday, January 14th – Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
9 a.m. – Film Showing: Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights – “Awakenings (1954-1956)” • Murder of Emmett Till &
Montgomery Bus Boycott

12 p.m. – Lunch & Learn – Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration • Dramatic reading of the speech “I have a Dream” by
Fort Scott Community College students and members of the community • Balloons will be released • Birthday cake, soup,
dessert, and drinks will be available for free • Photo Promotion taken with “I Stand For” sign

1:30 p.m. – Film Showing: Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights – “Fighting Back (1957-1962)” • Central High School and Little Rock Nine & James Meredith and The University of Mississippi

3:30 p.m. – Film Showing: Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights – “Ain’t Scared of Your Jails (1960-1961)” • Nashville Sit-Ins and Boycotts & Freedom Riders”

Monday, January 17th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Event

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Food Drive – Join us as we will collect canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon in
Fort Scott • Anyone in the community is invited to drop off canned food

9 a.m. – Film Showing: Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights – “No Easy Walk (1961-1963)” • Albany, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama & The March on Washington

10:30 a.m. – Film Showing: Eyes on the Prize: American Civil Rights – “Mississippi: Is this America? (1962-1964)” • Medgar Evers & ‘Mississippi Burning’ Murders

12 p.m. – Lunch & Learn – “The Dockman Drugstore Sit-In” presentation by Prisca Barnes • Barbeque lunch, drinks, and
dessert will be available for free (guests may also bring their own lunch)

1:30 p.m. – Film Showing: “Martin”, A tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks – This is a ballet tribute to Dr. King, written and directed by Gordon Parks
For more information, please call (620) 223-2700 ext. 5850

Funding provided by:
FSACF serves to fulfill philanthropic goals that benefit the common good and improve quality of life by providing leadership and programming that is responsive to the interests and needs of
the residents of the Fort Scott area.

All events will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center (2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, KS)

A reception will follow the performance with light refreshments hosted by Great Western Dining.

On Friday, January 14th, the community is invited to the Ellis Fine Arts Center for a free Lunch and Learn event that will be held at 12:00 pm featuring a dramatic reading of the “I have a dream” speech by FSCC students and members of the community.

 

The Fort Scott Community College Endowment Foundation is a key contributor to the celebration events. All events will take place at both the Gordon Parks Museum and Ellis Fine Arts Center.

A full list of film showings and events can be found at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events. For more information call the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum to Celebrate Gordon Parks Birthday on November 30

Leave a comment


Fort Scott–The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’ birthday on Tuesday, November 30th with the showing of films by or about Parks throughout the day along with cupcakes for visitors.

The event is free of charge and the public is invited to attend.

The schedule of showings throughout the day will include:
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – “The Learning Tree,” (Filmed in Fort Scott) 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – “Half Past Autumn” 2:30 p.m. –4:30 p.m. – “Solomon Northup’s Odyssey”

Parks, born in Fort Scott on November 30, 1912, would have been 109 this year. He died in March, 2006 at the age of 93. For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700, ext.5850 or by email at [email protected].
###