On Friday, February 13, 1931, 25 students from Sterling College's junior class drove to Lyons for a tour of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company mine. After descending 1,060 feet below the surface to the mine floor, the students marveled at the salt mine's tunnels and caverns illuminated by electric light and, according to a newspaper reporter, "as warm as a summer's day." Eighty years later, visitors to the Coronado Quivira Museum in Lyons can get their own firsthand look at the salt mining industry at "By the Sweat of Their Brows: The Men, Mechanics and Science of Salt," the Coronado Quivira Museum's companion exhibition to "The Way We Worked" Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition on display September 8 - October 21, 2012.

The college students' tour of the mines speaks to the importance of salt mining to the residents of Lyons and Rice County, according to Maggie Carlson, director of the Coronado Quivira Museum. "When the salt beds running beneath Rice County's prairies were confirmed in 1887, the excitement of Rice Countians could not be contained," shared Carlson. "The Lyons Republican newspaper proudly announced, 'It beats a coal mine! It beats natural gas! It beats an oil well! It beats the devil!' The newspaper further encouraged would-be entrepreneurs to 'Bring on your salt works! Bring your money, capital, and machinery! Bring on your men wanting labor! Bring on your prosperity!'"

"The Way We Worked" exhibition explores the stories of America's workers and invites visitors to consider how the workplace and workforce have changed over time and across generations. The exhibition will tour five additional communities through June 2013, including the Stevens County Library in Hugoton, the High Plains Museum in Goodland, the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, the Lumberyard Arts Center in Baldwin City, and the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin. Local exhibitions explore compelling work stories at each stop on the tour.

In addition to the Smithsonian exhibition in Lyons, the Harvey County Historical Museum in Newton, a "The Way We Worked in Kansas" Partner Site, is hosting "The Way We Worked: Serving Harvey County," September 8 - October 21, 2012. The exhibition features stories from Harvey County's service industry workers in livery stables, domestic service, laundries, funeral homes, public safety, and diners.

"The Way We Worked in Kansas" events are happening in 21 communities throughout June 2013. Visit KHC's Calendar of Events or follow KHC on Facebook and Twitter (#thewayweworkedks) for the latest news and updates.

Banner photo: Employees of the Bevis Rock Salt Company in Lyons, 1917. Photo courtesy of Coronado Quivira Museum.