Member Spotlight- McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation
Located at 1111 E. Kansas Avenue, the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation is a treasure trove of local history, art, and culture. The not-for-profit museum traces its roots to 1890, when it began as the McPherson College Museum. Executive Director Tyler Glidden explained, “It is one of the oldest museums in the state. It’s older than KU’s and K-State’s.”
The museum moved to the Vaniman home in 1968 and became the City Museum before the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation was formed in 1984. The foundation took ownership in 1998, becoming a stand-alone nonprofit. The museum moved to its current location after The Cedars donated the property in 2002, and construction on the current facility began in 2012. “In 2013 is when the new facility opened here,” Glidden said.
Visitors will find an eclectic collection that celebrates the people, places, and stories that shaped McPherson. Recent additions include the Quivira Exhibit, curated by Dr. Donald Blakesley, and a Fluorescent Mineral Exhibit created in partnership with the Gem and Mineral Club. Glidden described the mineral display, saying, “It has ultraviolet lights- short wave and long wave- and you can push different buttons to see how the different metals fluoresce under the types of light.”
The Quivira Exhibit explores the ancestors of the Wichita tribe who lived in the region long before European settlement. Visitors can even try grinding corn with a mano! The museum has possessed many of these Quivira relics for quite some time, so staff and board members are excited to finally have them on display. Members of the Wichita tribe assisted in making sure the information is accurate and are grateful that their ancestors are being represented.
Other highlights include Birger Sandzén artwork, the “In Real Life” portrait exhibit, dinosaur fossils, antique cars, a 126-pound meteorite, and a miniature McPherson train display that travels through a model community. The museum also shares the story of the Globe Refiners, who represented the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and earned the first-ever gold medal in their sport. Outside, future improvements will include informational rails about historic trails, including the Santa Fe Trail, a Stan Herd mural, a new sculpture, and an area featuring native Kansas grasses.
The museum’s success is also made possible by the dedication of its volunteers, staff, board members, members, and donors. Sandy Baldwin, a museum board member who oversees volunteers, said, “We have a great group of volunteers who come in and work 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the front desk to greet people and do any kind of little projects that Tyler might have for us.” Volunteers can also work behind the scenes documenting and organizing archived materials. “If anybody’s interested at any time, or if you know someone who might be, send them our way.” Baldwin added.
The McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation admission is free thanks to museum members and donors. With exhibits ranging from local history and fine art to science, transportation, and Native American history, there is something for visitors of all ages to discover. The museum also offers event space for parties, receptions, and meetings of up to 100 people. To learn more, visit mcphersonmuseum.com or call 620-241-8464. Go here to see photos taken at More @ 4 hosted by the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation.