The Smithsonian exhibit “Water/Ways” and the Geary County Historical Society display “Submerged” were unveiled this past Saturday at the Geary County Historical Museum.

The Director of the Museum, Katie Goerl, reported to the JC Breakfast Optimist Club on Wednesday that the “Water/Ways” exhibit occurred through an application process started by Jamie Clark, former Executive of the Historical Society. The competitive application process included proof that the local Museum’s facility was adequate to display the Smithsonian exhibit, that there was a compelling story connecting local water systems ( such as the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers ) and there was community support, which came from letters submitted by the CVB, Geary County Extension Office, Milford Nature Center and the Geary County Water District.  The Geary County Historical Museum was one of seven museums in Kansas to receive the display.

The Water / Ways exhibit includes interactive displays about the impact of water on the settling of communities, access to resources and the impact of pollution. The display will be at the Museum until Feb. 18.

The “Submerged” display was created by the GCHS Curator, Heather Hagedorn, and includes a 20-foot timeline about flooding in Geary County from 1855 to 1993. That display also includes activities such as a floor map on which visitors can use guiding information to locate cities across Kansas, which are along bodies of water; visitors may pull a scale model wagon on a ferry over a virtual river and practice their skills at finding water using dowsing rods or witches sticks.

Both of these displays may be visited between 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free. Appointments for school or other group tours may be made by contacting the Museum staff at 238-1666.