What's New KHC Awards Eight Grants         Follow KHC          The National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Kansas help fund Kansas Humanities Council grants and programs. Please thank your legislators and members of Congress for their support. KHC also relies on donations from people like you. Please thank the Friends of the Humanities who support KHC.   75 Years of Preserving the Past In 1937, "The Plainsman," a film starring Gary Cooper as Wild Bill Hickok, played at Ottawa's Plaza Theater. Inspired by the movie, a group of Franklin County residents formed the Franklin County Historical Society to preserve local "Western History." 75 years later, the Franklin County Historical Society is commemorating this milestone anniversary with a symposium highlighting historical figures and events from the county's past. Etta Semple (1855-1914) Courtesy of Franklin County Historical Society.  Among the featured topics at the symposium is a presentation of Franklin County's Etta Semple by Vickie Sandell Stangl, a Political Science instructor at Wichita State University. Semple was founder of the Kansas Free Thought Association and publisher of "The Free Thought Vindicator," as well as a socialist, atheist, and feminist. Other topics at the symposium include: Franklin County in 1937, Franklin County's Native American history, and Centropolis town founder Perry Fuller. Participants will also have the opportunity to view the Franklin County Historical Society's Portal website. Franklin County Historical Society's 75th Anniversary History Symposium takes place on Saturday, April 28 at the City Commission chamber at Ottawa City Hall. More information about the event can be found here. The event is supported by a KHC Humanities grant.