Fort Scott, Kan. Nov. 20, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will
celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’ birthday on Wednesday, December 3rd for a speaking
presentation and performance by Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian titled
“Gordon Parks: His Music and The Music Around Him”. The event is free of charge and the public is
invited to attend. 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 113 this year. He died in March 7,
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]
Celebrating Gordon Parks
113th Birthday
Lunch & Learn
FREE EVENT
Bring your lunch
Birthday Cake and Drinks, will be provided!!
Join us as Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian
will be presenting a program of some of Gordon’s music along with Jazz,
blues, and Spirituals. Gordon Parks was born and grew up during the
period that was referred to as the Harlem Renaissance and he will perform
music that Gordon would have experienced as a child in Fort Scott,
as well as in; St. Paul, Chicago and New York City.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620 -223-2700 ext 5850 or email: gordonparkscenter@fortscott.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Tickets are now on sale for the 44th Annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site, set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5–6, 2025.
Tickets are available online at fofs.ludus.com for $5 per person; children 5 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable. Early purchase is recommended, as the event frequently sells out.
The 45-minute guided tours depart every 15 minutes, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, and end in the Grand Hall with warm drinks and snacks provided by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS. Visitors should arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in and get oriented. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the tours are outdoors and follow paved sidewalks.
This year’s program, “Comfort and Joy in Fort Scott,” explores the celebrations, large and small, that helped build morale at the fort. 1,000 candle lanterns will illuminate the site as reenactors, including you, bring the 19th-century Fort Scott to life.
“Each year, the Candlelight Tour gives visitors a chance to not just observe history, but to walk through it,” said Jill Jaworski, superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site. “It’s a special opportunity to experience the warmth, resilience and community spirit that defined Fort Scott.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. Admission to the park is free.
Pittsburg, KS – The Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation invites the community to an evening with America’s most dynamic president, Theodore Roosevelt, brought vividly to life through a captivating living-history performance on Thursday, November 20, 2025, in the Timmons Ballroom at the Stilwell Hotel, 707 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas.
Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation Presents Dinner with Teddy Roosevelt – November 20, 2025
Pittsburg, KS – The Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation invites the community to an evening with America’s most dynamic president, Theodore Roosevelt, brought vividly to life through a captivating living-history performance on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, in the Timmons Ballroom at the Stilwell Hotel, 707 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas.
This engaging event features nationally recognized Teddy Roosevelt reenactor Joe Wiegand, who embodies the 26th president’s larger-than-life personality—his grit, humor, and vision that shaped a nation. Performing as Theodore Roosevelt, Wiegand will share stories from Roosevelt’s lifetime. From battling asthma and taking boxing lessons as a young boy to challenging special interests as President of the United States, Wiegand brings Theodore Roosevelt to life with energy, intelligence, and wit reminiscent of the original. Following a 45-minute presentation, he will take questions from the audience as Teddy Roosevelt.
“We’re thrilled to bring this kind of living history to Stilwell,” said Foundation President Lyndon Lawson. “It’s a chance for families, students, and history lovers to connect with the past in a way that feels alive and relevant today. It’s as if we are able to step back in time to when Teddy Roosevelt spoke at the Hotel Stilwell.”
Proceeds from the event will support the Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve the historic building, renovate the apartments for senior and low-income housing, and provide educational programming for the community.
Tickets are on sale now for $45.00 each (which includes dinner, drink, and dessert). Doors and the silent auction will open at 5:30 p.m. Meet-and-Greet tickets can be purchased for an additional $20.00; the VIP Meet-and-Greet will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.givebutter.com/stilwelltrevent or by calling the Hotel Stilwell. Seating is limited, so advance purchase is strongly encouraged.
Join us for a night of inspiration, laughter, and history as President Roosevelt himself takes the stage and reminds us to “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Event sponsored by Explore Crawford County, Pittsburg State University, and the Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation.
The annual Cato Day will be presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Saturday, November 8th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
Cato, Kansas – The annual Cato Day will be held on Saturday, November 8th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cato, Kansas. This free event, organized by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to celebrate Cato’s pioneer heritage, begins with sign-in at 9 a.m. Visitors are welcome to arrive any time, but we kindly ask that they sign our guest book. The day’s activities will start at 9:30 with music and history presented by Matt Wells and friends in the historic Cato Christian Church. At 10:30, a cavalry drill led by Matt Feild will be presented in the area behind the church, and at 10:45, in the “Old Stone School,” Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, and Jamie Thompson will discuss the school’s history. This will be followed by a historical re-enactment of the 1860 Settler Removal in front of the Pioneer Cabin at 11:30. At 12 noon, we will take an outdoor lunch break with musical entertainment by Jim Harris and the Players Circle. Cowboy Stew, prepared by Shawn Pryer and the Mighty MO Chuck Wagon crew, will be available, with proceeds benefiting the preservation of Cato’s buildings and supporting educational events for local school children. Shawn will demonstrate Chuck Wagon and Dutch oven cooking. Throughout the day, presenters will show guests what life was like in the 1800s, and the Southeast Kansas Antique Tractor Club will display and demonstrate vintage tractors. At 12:30, there will be a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by longtime member, Sue James of Texas.The highlight of the event begins at 1 p.m. with a hayrack wagon ride, led by Joe Bournonville, to various local historical sites. The hayrack ride and Cato Day will end at 3 p.m. All times are approximate.
Booklets about the history of Cato and the Cherokee Neutral Land (present-day Crawford and Cherokee Counties) will be available for sale. The Cato Store will also be selling other Cato-related merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more. Cash or check only. Proceeds from the quilt raffle, “Cowboy Stew,” books, and merchandise support the preservation of Cato’s historic buildings and Cato Kids’ Day, which is held every year for local fourth and fifth-graders.
Cato is located in the northern part of Crawford County, off Hwy 69. From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th Avenue, and follow the signs to Cato. Directions can be found at http://catoschool.com/. The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and history of Cato and the surrounding area. These buildings include the “Old Stone School,” built in 1869; the Cato Christian Church, built in 1915; and a full-sized replica of a cabin the early settlers would have used in the 1860s. The “Old Stone School” is on the National Register of Historic Places. A stone bridge, part of the “Old Wagon Road,” can also be seen on the property. Cato is an open-air museum, and its buildings are only open to the public a few times a year, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment in historic Cato.
The Gordon Parks Museum will host a grand opening event and dedication
ceremony for the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Commemorative Park on
Thursday, October 2, at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Gordon Parks Celebration events.
The commemorative park is located at 301 S. Lowman Street in Fort Scott, on the historic site that was once
home to the oldest Black church in Fort Scott. The land, formerly the property of Wayman Chapel AME
Church, was generously donated to the Gordon Parks Museum by Fort Scott resident Josh Jones, through the
Fort Scott Community College Foundation.
.Josh Jones helped the Gordon Parks Museum receive the AME Church property in June 2023. Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation (left to right) Josh Jones, Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum, and Sarah Smith, Fort Scott Community College Foundation. Submitted photo.
The church was regularly attended by Gordon Parks and his family, and was even featured in a scene from
Parks’ acclaimed film, The Learning Tree.
Originally established in 1866, the church moved to its final location at Third and Lowman in 1885, where it
stood for more than 115 years as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of Fort Scott’s Black community.
Declining membership and unsafe building conditions eventually led to its condemnation and demolition in the
early 2000s.
While the building is gone, its legacy endures: two original stained-glass windows, two pews, and
other archival objects from the church are now preserved in the Gordon Parks Museum’s permanent collection.
The property has since been transformed into a commemorative, low-maintenance park honoring the legacy of
the church.
. AME Church Gordon Parks, 1950. Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation. Submitted photo.
The new display signage includes four large storyboard panels (76” x 27”) featuring photos,
graphics, and text that highlight the church’s rich history and its vital role in the local Black community. These
panels are installed on a concrete slab beneath a pergola structure (12’ x 20’). In addition, a large 4’ x 3’
welcome sign will greet visitors at the park entrance.
The commemorative park is funded in part by Kansas Tourism and made possible with generous support from:
Armstrong Pressure Washing, LLC, Bourbon County Historical Association, City of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Area
Community Foundation, Fort Scott Community College Foundation, The Healthy Bourbon County Action
Team’s Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), Josh Jones, Rick Mayhew, My One Stop, Marbery
Concrete, Inc. and McKenney Masonry, LLC.
Cover art by Calvin L. Osborne. Submitted graphic.
Untold Stories of African American History
Fort Scott, Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting author, historical researcher, and Civil War reenactor Calvin L. Osborne on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the East Infantry Barracks, where he will share an epic story of a once-enslaved man who fought for freedom, helped shape a nation, and unknowingly laid a foundation for generations to come.
The pre–Civil War South story follows Osborne’s great-great-grandfather’s journey from bondage to the battlefield, through the Battle of Westport, the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, into his new life in Kansas.
Mr. Osborne explores the world of African Americans labeled as “contraband,” freed slaves who were neither fully free nor protected. Osburne brings to light the triumphs and tragedies of a people caught between bondage and liberation, family and fate, heartbreak and hope.
By day, Osborne is a practicing real estate attorney and has more than two decades of experience in law and real estate development. He is a student of African American military history and heritage, participating in reenactments to honor the courage and sacrifice of black soldiers. His research into genealogy and primary documents unearthed the real-life love story between his great-great-grandparents, William and Lucinda Lacy.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. Fort Scott National Historic Site is a free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) is an annual Bourbon County event that takes place this year from October 3-5 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.
The event showcases rural American culture in an earlier time period.
The event kicks off with a parade of antique and classic farm implements and more, through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, October 2, at 6 p.m., according to the PHF website.
One can experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments, and live musical entertainment all weekend.
All three days showcase steam engines, blacksmiths, food and Flea Market vendors, drag saw demonstrations, Tractors and Gas Engines on display, Baker Fan demonstrations, arts and crafts, straw baling, wheat threshing, corn husking and shelling, sorghum making, rock crushing, saw mill operation, Car Show, Tractor Pull (Antique & Classic), Garden Tractor Pull, and many more.
This year’s full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and the Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Children under age 12 are free.
Free admission does not include a collector button. Prior year’s collector buttons are available for purchase for $1.
One of the new additions to the event is a fiber arts show in conjunction with the annual quilt show.
New Craft Added
The PHF quilt show has a new name this year and a new direction. The Quilt and Fiber Arts Show will feature beautiful quilts as usual, and will also showcase examples of various fiber arts, according to a press release from Linda Rogers, a local quilter.
Fiber art is work done with thread, yarn, fiber, or fabric, according to Rogers. Examples of fiber art include weaving, rug hooking, spinning, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, cross-stitching, tatting, needle felting, macramé, and more.
Area quilters and fiber artists are invited to enter items for the show to be held October 3-5 at the Myers Building at the Bourbon County Fairground during the annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. This event is free to the public.
“Anyone may enter items not previously shown at this show, no limit on the number of items, and the public is invited to view the entries at NO COST! (There is an entry fee for the machinery show.)” said Linda Rogers, this year’s quilt and fiber arts organizer at the annual event.
In addition to the exhibits, fiber artists will be present at various times during the show, working on their current projects. The public is invited to drop in, view the exhibits, talk to the artists, and bring their needlework projects to work on, according to Rogers.
“Generations ago, quilting and needlework were necessary skills,” she said. “These traditional crafts continued to be kept alive by many of our grandmothers and mothers who, although they no longer needed to make things, nevertheless enjoyed filling their spare time with creative pursuits.”
Recently, quilting and traditional crafts have been “rediscovered” by new generations of enthusiastic fans and are sometimes referred to as “granny crafts” or “Grandma Core”, she said.
“In our hyper-connected, technology-driven world, both adults and youth are finding the simple joy and calm that comes from working with colors and textures to create something tangible with their own hands, according to the press release.”
“A quilt and fiber arts show is a wonderful place to come be inspired, encouraged, and tempted,” said Rogers.“You will see some fantastic quilts, some showcasing new techniques and contemporary colors, as well as more traditional quilts. And if you are thinking about taking up a new craft, or if you are in the middle of a needlework project and have hit a roadblock, maybe one of our quilters or artisans can make suggestions to help you.”
The “take-in” time to enter quilts and items for exhibit is Thursday, October 2, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no fee to exhibit items. The only award that will take place is a “People’s Choice Award”. Items can be picked up on Sunday, October 5, from 2:30 to 3:00.
The Quilt and Fiber Arts Show will be open for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, and on Sunday, October 5, from noon to 2:00. Admittance to the quilt show is free. For more information, contact Rogers at 620-215-4905.
Rogers is entering a quilt that was pieced by an ancestor of hers, and gives the details:
History of Linda Ramsey Roger’s Family Vintage Quilt
Quilts often become heirlooms, taken care of and handed down to generations after their creation. Such is the case with Linda Ramsey Roger’s quilt, which was created in 1864.
Linda Rogers’ quilt has been handed down through her family for over 150 years. Submitted photo.
“Information below is taken from a handwritten note, written by my great-grandmother, Alice Ann (Hinton) Konantz, concerning the quilt, other death dates of my family, and an email sent to me from my 1st cousin, who gifted the quilt to me.
*1864 – Charlotte (Hinton) Hinton (great-great-grandmother), age 23, pieced and appliqued the quilt while living in Iowa. Her daughter, Alice Ann, recalls in a note remembering her mother working on it when she was 7 years old. Charlotte died later that year, and shortly after, she and her dad moved to Bourbon County, Kansas.
*1923 – Alice Ann (Hinton) Konantz (great-grandmother), age 66, had it hand quilted by the Methodist Episcopal Ladies Aid, which Rogers reckons is the United Methodist Church of Uniontown.
1933 – Alice Konantz wrote the *note telling the above information.
1940 – Alice Konantz died at 83 years old. “Most likely the quilt passed to my grandmother, Grace Miriam (Konantz) Griffith.”
1982 – Grace Miriam Griffith died at age 84. “Most likely the quilt passed to her oldest living daughter, my aunt, Betty Jane (Griffith) Perry, while living in Montana.”
1999 -Her Aunt Betty gifted the quilt to her oldest daughter, Kathleen (Perry) Martinell, Roger’s first cousin, who still resides in Montana.
2024 – Kathleen gifted the quilt to Rogers, who lives in Bourbon County, Kansas.
This quilt that Rogers made is from a pattern by Krista Moser, made of 60* triangles. The fabric was purchased from various shops and quilted on her Bernina Q20 sewing machine. This is a sit-down machine where the quilt is moved under the stationary needle to create the designs. It received the grand champion award this past summer at the Bourbon County Fair Open Class and a red ribbon at the Little Balkans Quilt Show over Labor Day weekend. Submitted photo.
The 120th Old Settlers’ Picnic festivities in Uniontown culminated with the parade on September 1.
Rain threatened, but did not happen for this annual picnic, which was much appreciated by participants.
Vendors lined the sidewalk in the town’s square, and children and their loved ones lined the streets waiting for the anticipated candy that is traditionally thrown to viewers of the parade.
The theme this year was Remembering the Past-Planning the Future.
The parade grand marshals were the Bill and Doris George family, with four generations on the haywagon, representing the legacy of this local farm family.
Other activities from August 29 to September 1 included a street dance, a 5K run/walk, a kids’ fishing derby, rodeos, a community church service, a car show, a baby contest, and numerous games and prizes, along with the annual recognitions.
The Bethel Community Church group before the parade.Hayden Stevens was representing the theatre group at Fort Scott Community College.Uniontown High School Football players and coaches.Students representing Fort Scott Community College’s Pleasanton Campus. Submitted by Taylor Bailey.The Uniontown High School Class of 2029 poses for a photo before the parade.Parents registering their children for the children’s parade.Vendors line the sidewalk in the town’s square.The Bill and Doris George family pose before the Old Settlers’ Picnic parade starts.The Uniontown Marching Band.Uniontown High School Class of 1965 waits in the staging area of the parade line-up.Students and staff representing Fort Scott Community College in the Old Settlers’ Picnic parade on Sept. 1 in Uniontown. Submitted by Taylor Bailey.Uniontown High School Class of 1975, before the parade.Uniontown Class of 2028 in the Old Settler’s Picnic Parade.Uniontown Youth Football team, prior to the parade.
Saturday, August 30, Fort Scott National Historic Site will take you on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Throughout Saturday, enjoy historic yard games, a variety of living history demonstrations, and interpretive programs as you explore the labors and leisure on the fort.
Visit with an officer’s wife doing needlepoint, a laundress making soap and doing laundry, a cooking demonstration, a contracted teamster discussing the best way to assemble his freight wagon and learn about caring for your horse from a Dragoon soldier. Guided Fort Tours will be offered daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All programs are free and open to the public.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for 2nd Annual Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.
Auditions are 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 11 or 12 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Those who audition must be age 14 or over and only need to attend one evening of auditions. Rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.
Voices from the Grave takes place from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 25 in downtown Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short-acting vignettes centering around ghostly incidents in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by members of the BCCT Board and many are based on stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 20 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.
More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.
2025 National Discovery Award Semi-Finalists Announced!
We are excited to reveal this year’s talented semi-finalists, students whose powerful projects reveal the untold stories of Unsung Heroes from around the world. Their creativity, research, and storytelling shine a light on individuals who made a lasting impact yet remain absent from most history books.
Finalists will be announced on September 2, so stay tuned to see who advances to the next round.
Explore the full list of semi-finalists and be inspired by the stories that are shaping tomorrow’s changemakers.
”The LMC fellowship is a week full of being poured into by the most dedicated and passionate staff, the most welcoming and open townspeople, and the unexpected charm and quiet gravitation of the small town itself, so educators leave with their professional cups overflowing with renewed inspiration, a stronger network, and the ability and drive to make a positive difference in more students’ lives.”
~ Kelly Ryan, LA
“The Lowell Milken Fellowship highlights the best of what public education has to offer. As educators we all work to help students use their creativity and dive deep into topics they are passionate about; that’s what helps set them up for their best post secondary success. The work of this Fellowship offers educators even more tools to build spaces for success within and beyond their classroom.
Some of what I loved most about my week at the Lowell Milken Center was being able to see the range of passions that other Fellows and LMC staff demonstrated. It shows how finding and celebrating unsung heroes can cross all disciplines.”
~ Brian Skinner, KS
“The LMC Fellowship will reshape my approach to curriculum design by emphasizing the importance of spotlighting unsung heroes and fostering student engagement through both in-depth research and the creative development of projects intended for public sharing. I deeply valued the opportunity to collaborate with fellow like-minded educators and to connect with the LMC and Fort Scott community, whose warmth and generosity were truly moving. A piece of my heart remains in Fort Scott, Kansas, and I return feeling inspired and energized for the new school year.”
~ Jennifer Klein, CT
Your Story Could Change the World.
Learn how students use the Discovery Award to highlight Unsung Heroes who inspire positive change.
The beginning of a new school year is the perfect time to start discussing potential topics for the 2026 Discovery Award competition. This unique opportunity invites students in grades 4–12 to use their creative talents to research primary sources and develop outstanding projects (documentary, website, or performance), that shine a light on Unsung Heroes. These remarkable individuals serve as powerful role models and inspire others to create change.
Staff Spotlight: Norm Conard
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on our CEO, Norm Conard.
A visionary educator and tireless advocate for project-based learning, Norm has dedicated his career to inspiring students and teachers to uncover and share the stories of Unsung Heroes. His leadership at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes continues to shape classrooms across the country and around the world.
Norm Conard is a third-generation educator who taught for over 30 years, during which time he developed non-traditional teaching methods that extend the boundaries of the classroom. One of his great sources of pride is having seen over 60 of his students achieve national recognition in the national history competition, and almost 200 students receive state history awards. He is known internationally for his development of projects that teach respect and understanding among all people and for innovation in project-based learning.
Norm’s leadership at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is another step in the process of bringing innovative educational ideas to the classrooms of America and around the world. He mentors teachers in the development projects that feature Unsung Heroes, such as the Irena Sendler Project, Life in a Jar.
A member of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Norm has received much local, state and national recognition for his work, including the Milken Educator Award in 1992. He is a Kansas Teacher of the Year, National Secondary Social Studies Outstanding Teacher, USA Today All-American Teacher, Nationally Board Certified educator and the 2012 Kansan of the Year. Mr. Conard retired from classroom teaching in 2007 to become CEO of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Back to School 2025–2026
A new school year is here, and we wish students, teachers, and school leaders a great start! We’re excited to see the creativity, curiosity, and new ideas that will take shape in classrooms this year.
Just a reminder! If you’re looking for a meaningful and engaging experience for your students or organization? Plan a field trip to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott! Explore inspiring exhibits like the Irena Sendler story, try hands-on activities and our new digital art board, stroll through the Lowell Milken Park, and enjoy a kid-friendly scavenger hunt.
Students and teachers can also jump into the Discovery Award and ARTEFFECT competitions to start their own Unsung Hero journey.
2025 Discovery Award Finalists Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars — the finalists will be announced on September 2. Stay tuned to see which projects are moving forward in the competition.
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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes · 1 South Main St · Fort Scott, KS 66701 · USA
Staff Spotlight: Norm Conard
Just a reminder! If you’re looking for a meaningful and engaging experience for your students or organization? Plan a field trip to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott! Explore inspiring exhibits like the Irena Sendler story, try hands-on activities and our new digital art board, stroll through the Lowell Milken Park, and enjoy a kid-friendly scavenger hunt.
1 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS
Call (620) 223-1312 or Email: 
2025 Discovery Award Finalists Coming Soon!
