Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum

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

Presentation Explores the Impact of Kansas’s Native Son Gordon Parks

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

Fort Scott, Kansas – The Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas will host “Learning from
Gordon Parks,” a presentation and discussion by Ann Dean on Thursday, October 5 at
12:00p.m. at The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton St.

Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620-223-2700 ext. 5850 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.

This presentation and discussion are part of the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration that will take place in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 5 -7, 2023. This is also a Lunch and Learn Event.

The presentation by Ann Dean is free to attend, but the lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

African American author, photographer, and filmmaker Gordon Parks was well known for his documentation of American life and culture.

Born in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1912, he is one of the
most esteemed image makers of all time. In this presentation, photographer Ann Dean discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’s books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of
Weapons, and Half Past Autumn.

These books help illustrate Parks’s mother’s teachings centered in love, dignity, and hard work, and provide a starting point to talk about his struggles, choices, and triumphs – all great life lessons for those searching to find their way in this complicated world.

Ann Dean is an artist and freelance photographer who teaches photography classes at the Lawrence Art Center.

“Learning from Gordon Parks” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Speakers Bureau and “21st Century Civics,” a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community
discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. “21st Century Civics” is made possible with support from “A More
Perfect Union: America at 250,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information about “Learning from Gordon Parks” in Fort Scott, Kansas contact the
Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or visit gordonparkscenter.org.

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the
people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our
pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to
spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we
inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and
serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
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Art, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Abstracts Created By Parks

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A panel in the Gordon Parks Museum.

Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.1, 2023 – Dr. Matthew Goltl, a Wichita chiropractor and longtime admirer of Gordon
Parks, has donated four of the celebrated photographer’s master prints to the Gordon Parks Museum
at Fort Scott Community College.

The 17-by-22 images are from “The Gordon Parks Signature Collection: Images from the Soul” by
Marcia McCoy, photographer and friend of Parks.
The photographs – titled “Moondown,” “Sky Song,” “Stream-side Blossoms” and “A Memory” – will
become part of the museum’s collections.

“We are so very thankful to Dr. Goltl for this wonderful contribution to our museum; this is a wonderful
addition to our collections,” said Kirk Sharp, executive director.

McCoy also teamed with Parks and Robert Erlichman of Art Guild Press to create an edition suite of
the many iconic photos taken by the Fort Scott native.

“Mr. Parks is a national treasure and has inspired creators globally to have the courage to create and
express their voices and visions,” she said. “We are delighted to share these powerful and inspiring
abstracts with you and the world.”

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

FS Quarterly Downtown Meeting: Events, Projects, Updates

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison opens the FS Downtown Meet and Greet.

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.

At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several  of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.

Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:

  •  July 15: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale
  •  July 18: Patty LaRoche will present a book talk at Hedgehog.INK! from 7 to 8:30 p.m. LaRoche’s new book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection  will be featured.
  • August 4-6: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, where participating businesses give customers a 9.4 percent discount on purchases.
  • Sept. 8-9: Town-wide Garage Sale
  • Sept. 9: Art Crawl by the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Artificers and more, from 2-6 p.m.
  • Sept. 16: Author Miranda Collins, Chanute, writer of Action Detective Mystery will be at Hedgehog.INK! at 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 21: Downtown Fall Fest, stores open until 8 p.m. for fall food snacks and shopping.
  • Oct. 28: Halloween Parade. Festivities start at 10 a.m., children’s downtown parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 9-11: Holiday Open House, kick off on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with continued open house on Friday and Saturday.
  • Nov. 25: Shop Small Friday/Saturday in Fort Scott.
  • Nov. 30 Candy land Christmas with parade and festivities downtown.
  • Bailey Lyons gave an update on the splash pad project: Concrete is being poured this Thursday on the big splash pad. On July 15-16 volunteers are needed to help with landscaping projects: bring gloves and tools. The group has raised approximately $325,000 for the project nearing completion.
  • The new historic mural that will be created on Skubitz Plaza will be unveiled in coordination with the Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 6. The mural was approved by the city’s design review board this week, Jerry Witt, owner of the mural site building  said.
  • The multi-purpose pavilion to be on Skubitz Plaza is in the works, Madison said. The Farmers Market group will use the facility “and anyone else.”
  • The welcome arch to the city is being worked on by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and will go to the city’s design review board.
  • The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday July 14 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. They are still accepting raffle items.
  • The Special Olympic Golf Tournament is July 29 at the same course.
  • The mountain bike race, the Marmaton Massacre Festival, will be Sept. 16 in Gunn Park.
  • The annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will be on a  Friday in September to be announced.
  • Grants available to businesses: E-Community at http://www.networkkansas.com and Grow KS.

Updates from attendees:

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”

“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.

There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”

Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building,  now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.

Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.

The Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at Lyons Realty Group,, 8 E. Wall, on July 11.
Art, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum Newsletter

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Gordon Parks Museum Newsletter Update

June 22, 2023

Artist, Cbabi Bayoc is selected for the

1st Kansas Colored Infantry Mural Project
The selected artist for the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry mural has just been announced. Congratulations to Cbabi Bayoc! We can’t wait to see this new mural in our historic downtown of Fort Scott, KS.

The Fort Scott Downtown Chamber Division will facilitate the creation of a mural in honor and remembrance of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment that was established here and trained in Fort Scott, KS. This was the first African-American regiment to fight against the Confederacy in the Civil War.

To learn more about the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry and their amazing story, go to the mural project facebook page at Murals of Fort Scott

Gordon Parks Museum receives the African American Methodist Episcopal (AME)

Church Property
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation
The ground on which the historic African-American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church once stood is now the property of the Gordon Parks Museum, thanks to Fort Scott resident Josh Jones and the Fort Scott Community College Foundation.

 

Jones donated the site on the southeast corner of Third and Lowman streets where the church, attended regularly by Gordon Parks and his family, was located. The church was also used in a scene from Parks’ acclaimed film, “The Learning Tree.”

“We are very excited about this donation and can’t thank Josh and the Foundation enough,” said museum executive director Kirk Sharp. “This donation creates this wonderful opportunity to keep this incredible history alive in Fort Scott. This is also the same location that is located on our Learning Tree Film Sign Trail.”

The tentative plans, Sharp said, are to develop the property as a commemorative low-maintenance park with signs, photos, benches and short walls as a tribute to the AME church.

“The museum will look for possible grants and donations to help fund this project,” he noted. “There is currently on timeline as of now for the completion of the tribute project.”

In its heyday, the church, established in 1866, was the hub of Fort Scott’s black community. The church moved from its original location in 1885, occupying a new brick building on the corner of Third and Lowman, where it stood at 301 S. Lowman with a viable congregation for more than 115 years.

A reduction in members and unsafe conditions eventually led to its condemnation and razing in the early 2000s, Sharp said. One of the stained-glass windows and two of the pews are on exhibit at the Gordon Parks Museum.

“The largest congregation was believed to have been in 1888,” he said. “The city directory for that year indicates the membership was 260 and the Sunday school membership was 100.”

 

The AME church was Fort Scott’s first and oldest black church with Shiloh Baptist being the second.
(left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation.
AME Church

Gordon Parks, 1950.

Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation

To Register Online Click Here Registration

The schedule of events for the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration for

October 5 -7, 2023 are now available. For more information, go to our website at www.gordonparkscenter.org. Reservation and ticket purchases are available online our event page https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events.

Reservations and payments can also be mailed to:

The Gordon Parks Museum

2108 S. Horton St, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Please contact us if you have any questions. 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or

email: [email protected]

WE ARE LOOKNG FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE AT THIS YEARS’ CELEBRATION, AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 20TH YEAR!

“Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” 2023 Recipients
Tommy Dodson, Mario E. Sprouse and Deborah Willis will be the recipients of the “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” at the annual celebration

October 5th -7th, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. The Choice of Weapons Award was established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration.

Tommy Dodson

 

Fort Scott native musician, photographer and author. See his full bio in the link below.

Tommy Dodson Bio

Mario E. Sprouse

Well-known musician, arranger, composer, and musical director See his full bio in the link below.

Mario E. Sprouse Bio

Deborah Willis

Artist, author and curator. See her full bio in the link below.

Deborah Willis Bio

To purchase your tickets online go to:

Celebration Dance Party Ticket Purchase

2023 Gordon Parks Photo and Poetry Contests

2023 Gordon Parks Museum

Photo Contest

THEME: “Family, Home and Roots”

This photo contest is inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

This is open to any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of the theme.

Read more…

Gordon Parks Museum

Poetry Contest

THEME: “Family, Home and Roots”

This poetry contest is inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

This is open to any emerging poets of all ages and skill levels who have not yet been published in a book are invited to write a poem for this contest.

Read more…
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
Church news, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Historic Church Property Donated to the Gordon Parks Museum

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The former site of the church at Third and Lowman Street, the Learning Tree Sign is seen in center, left.

Fort Scottian Josh Jones purchased the property at 301 Lowman for a philanthropic purpose.

“I purchased it from the owner with the intent to transfer it to the Gordon Parks Museum,” Jones said. “I knew of the historic meaning of the property and wanted to get it to them.”


Left to right): Josh Jones, along with Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director  and Sarah Smith, member of the Fort Scott Community College Foundation. Submitted photo.

On the property once stood the historic African-American Methodist Episcopal Church.

Now it’s the property of the Gordon Parks Museum, thanks to Jones and the Fort Scott Community College Foundation, according to a press release from the museum director, Kirk Sharp.

“The FSCC Foundation Department helped with getting it deeded into their name, the museum is under its umbrella,” Sharp said.

“Jones donated the site on the southeast corner of Third and Lowman streets where the church, attended regularly by Gordon Parks and his family, was located,” according to the press release. “The church was also used in a scene from Parks’ acclaimed film, The Learning Tree.”

AME Church
Gordon Parks, 1950.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation

“We are very excited about this donation and can’t thank Josh and the Foundation enough,” said Sharp. “This donation creates this wonderful opportunity to keep this incredible history alive in Fort Scott. This is also the same location that is located on our Learning Tree Film Sign Trail.”

The sign that explains this site is part of the Gordon Parks Sign Trail.

The tentative plans, Sharp said, are to develop the property as a commemorative, low-maintenance park neighborhood-type park with signs, photos, benches and short walls with a history of the church as a tribute.

“The museum will look for possible grants and donations to help fund this project,” he said. “There is currently no timeline as of now for the completion of the tribute project.”

In its heyday, the church, established in 1866, was the hub of Fort Scott’s black community, according to the press release. The church moved from its original location in 1885, occupying a new brick building on the corner of Third and Lowman, where it stood at 301 S. Lowman with a viable congregation for more than 115 years.

A reduction in members and unsafe conditions eventually led to its condemnation and razing in the early 2000s, Sharp said. One of the stained-glass windows and two of the pews are on exhibit at the Gordon Parks Museum.

“The largest congregation was believed to have been in 1888,” he said. “The city directory for that year indicates the membership was 260 and the Sunday school membership was 100.”

The AME church was Fort Scott’s first and oldest black church with Shiloh Baptist being the second.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum: Free Photography Workshops

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Free Photography Workshops Sponsored by
Kansas State University Art Department

Fort Scott, Kan. June. 14, 2023 – Shreepad Joglekar, Associate Professor of Photography at Kansas State University and Professional Photographer, Veretta Cobler will provide free workshops series on working with film and digital photography.

These in-depth workshops are designed to help any beginner, student, novice and the professional learn how to get the most out of their film or digital cameras, or even cell phones. More experience photographers will learn some techniques to help them improve and enhance their work.

Interested participants are encouraged to attend the whole series to benefit the most.
These workshops will also help to prepare photographers to be part of the Back to Fort Scott, Now project in taking photos with the reimaging of Gordon Parks photographs that he had taken in 1950 for a LIFE magazine assignment.

The workshops will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, Friday, July 7, 2023 and Friday, August 11, 2023. The times for each of the workshops will be 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m

The workshops are free to attend, but registration to attend each the workshops is required. Registration is available either online at http//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, or by phone 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or by email at [email protected]
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Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Humanities Kansas Grant

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


TOPEKA – Humanities Kansas recently awarded $6,979 to the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott to support “Langston Hughes and Gordon Parks Exhibit Display,” a moveable exhibit that explores the works and friendship between two cultural giants who had roots in Kansas. Kirk Sharp serves as project director.


This project will produce exhibit panel displays with a theme that highlights both Langston’s and Gordon’s lives and careers. The displays will target the history, journey, friendship, collaborations and connection of these two pioneers in the field of arts.


The panel displays will include graphics, photos and text information and follow both of their journeys as a poet and photographer, respectively and their impact on the arts. These panels will be portable, so they could easily be moved and displayed at different universities, libraries, and organizations across the state
of Kansas.


The project will also feature the launch of the exhibit display and speakers’ presentation on Langston Hughes and Gordon Parks, during the 20th annual Gordon Parks Celebration at the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 5–7, 2023.

During the celebration, there will also be a digital
interactive display on Langston Hughes and Gordon Parks. “The exhibit displays creates a great opportunity in helping to keep both of the legacies and triumphs of Langston Hughes and Gordon Parks
alive.” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director.


“Humanities Kansas believes that Kansans are energized by people engaging with history,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director. “This traveling exhibit project will connect people with their past and strengthen a sense of community and pride of place.”

About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy.

Since 1972, HK’s pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and
generate insights.

Together with statewide partners and supporters, HK inspires all Kansans to draw on diverse histories, literatures, and cultures to enrich their lives and to serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

Kirk Sharp is the director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Submitted photo

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
 Local Project Director Kirk Sharp
Executive Director Gordon Parks Museum
2108 S. Horton St
Fort Scott, KS 66701 620–223–2700, ext. 5850,
kirks@ fortscott.edu


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Art, Bourbon County, Gordon Parks Museum

The Gordon Parks Museum Photo Contest

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MERL HUMPHREY PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTS
The 2023 Gordon Parks Museum
Photo Contest


(Open to any non-professional photographer)


THEME:“Family, Home and Roots”
This photo contest is inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing. This is open to any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of the theme.


Who can participate?
Amateur (nonprofessional) photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to take pictures for the project.


How many photos can I enter? No more than 2.


Are there prizes?
Yes! There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable
mentions. Winners will be announced at the Gordon Parks Celebration.

All photos submitted that are accepted, will be on exhibit during the 20th annual Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 5 – 7, 2023. All accepted photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Website and Facebook page.


How do I submit?
Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be in JPEG format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. Photographers should submit attached photo in JPEG format, with
the title, their name, address, email, and phone number. If under 14 years old please include parent’s information.


When do I have to submit my entries?
Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at the latest.


Anything else I need to know?
The Gordon Parks Museum reserves the right to not accept or display any submitted photo(s) that would be considered to be
obscene, violent or in any other way objectionable or inappropriate and/or that do not hold to the standards of FSCC policy or the
mission of the Gordon Parks Museum.

It is the photographer’s responsibility to make sure they have permission to take and use the photograph subject’s image.

By entering the contest, you retain the rights to your works while granting The Gordon Parks Museum the unrestricted, royalty-free, perpetual right to use, reproduce, communicate modify and display the works (in whole or in part) for any purpose without any fee or other form of compensation, and without further notification or permission.

By participating in this contest, you release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Gordon Parks Museum and its employees, directors, officers, affiliates, agents, judges and advertising and promotional agencies from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind resulting from your participation in this contest or receipt or use of any prize.


Sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography
5 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS
Questions? Email [email protected] Or call 223-2700, ext. 5850

Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum receives Evergy Community Investment Grant

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A panel in the Gordon Parks Museum.

 

 

Fort Scott, Kan. April. 17, 2023 – A $5,000 Evergy Community Investment Grant was awarded recently to the Gordon Parks Museum to support the “Back to Fort Scott, Now” project designed to reimagine a series of images taken in 1950 by the celebrated photographer.

 

On assignment for Life magazine in May 1950, Parks shot several photos to illustrate a story on segregated schools in America utilizing his classmates at Plaza School in Fort Scott.

The completed assignment, however, was never published. Although still somewhat of a mystery as to why the spread was never used, most likely, it was bumped first by the outbreak of the Korean conflict, then, a year later, by Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s dismissal as supreme commander of the armed forces by President Harry Truman.

In 2015, the project was rediscovered and made into a book, “Back to Fort Scott, and exhibition, which debuted at the Boston Museum of Art.

Now, according to museum and project director Kirk Sharp, the book and exhibition is the basis for the current project, which features the work of local, student and professional photographers, who will convene in Fort Scott from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 to recreate Park’s images from 73 years ago.

Collaborators include Michael Cheers of San Jose State University, Nick Homburg, Shreepad Joglekar and Katherine Karlin of Kansas State University, and Vivian Zavataro of the Ulrich Museum of Art in Wichita.

The photos are scheduled for display during the 20th annual Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 5-7 at Fort Scott Community College. Millers Professional Imaging of Pittsburg is printing the images, which also are to be included in two-volume book set and video documentary.

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Gordon Parks Museum

Legendary Olympian Gold Medalist Billy Mays April 12 at Gordon Parks Museum

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Gordon Parks Museum…
Meet & Greet Olympian Hero, Billy Mills!
Come meet and greet Legendary Gold Medalist Olympic Athlete, Billy Mills.
Mills, won the 10,000-meter race in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist. At the time, he set a world record of 28 minutes, 24.4 seconds and is still the
only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10k event. His win was an upset that has been called the second greatest moment in Olympic history.
The event will include a screening of his 1964 gold medal run – an Olympic feat no American had accomplished
before or since him.
 Free drinks and dessert will be available for all attendees!
April 12th from 12-1pm
2108 Horton Street