By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
A new exhibit featuring Geary County history through the letters of the alphabet opens April 27th at the Geary County Historical Museum. The title is “G” is for Goat Gland: An Alphabetical History of Geary County.”
Museum Curator Heather Hagedorn explained in the “G” section of the exhibit the late Dr. John Brinkley will be featured including a goat gland operation he practiced at one time in Milford. “So the Brinkley part is going to be just one part of it. Every letter of the alphabet will be represented.” For examples under “C” there will be displays on celebrity sightings in Geary County and things dealing with homesteaders under the letter “H.” Some of the celebrities included will range from Buffalo Bill Cody to Wild Bill Hickok and Shirley Temple.
Under the letter “R” Rathert field will be covered. Hagedorn said, “We are working on a fun, interactive display for Rathert.” She added it should be a good part of the exhibit where you may want to take some photos.
Museum Director Katie Goerl noted at least six months of work will have gone into preparation of the exhibit by the time it opens.
East Ninth Street will be represented by the letter “N” explained Hagedorn. “That is actually one of the things that we are looking for community help with. We would love to have photos and objects from the businesses that were once on East Ninth Street as part of the exhibit. Call Hagedorn at the museum if there is something you can contribute. The telephone number is 238-1666. Also, if there are some artifacts or photos from old Milford that existed before the Milford Lake Dam was built, those are also needed.
Under the letter “K” KJCK will be featured including some artifacts from the radio station. L is limestone representing the fact that there are limestone buildings in the area, and Washington is for Washington Street featuring artifacts from stores that have been or are on that street.
Goerl stated an interactive scavenger hunt is being planned in conjunction with the exhibit which will involve searching through the entire alphabet in the history of Geary County.
The exhibit will be for two years, with items donated on a two-year loan before they’ll be returned to the owners. Hagedorn did note, however, if items need to be loaned for a shorter period of time museum officials will work with them.