Please send your resume to kshank@exploration.org or complete an application at the front desk.  EOE

Exploration Place

300 N. McLean Blvd

Wichita, KS   67203

www.exploration.org

The successful applicant must possess skills necessary to provide excellent customer service and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.  This full-time, benefits eligible, classified position supports the Historical Society by working in the Education Division.

Key Requirements:

The successful applicant will have the ability to develop, write and produce original curriculum materials that address state curriculum standards in the disciplines of Kansas and United States history, geography, economics, and civics; create curriculum units that use both primary and secondary resource materials; create curriculum materials that use a variety of digital and web based formats; conduct original research in primary sources; develop project goals and objectives and to evaluate the effectiveness of projects in meeting the goals; develop and monitor project budgets; write grant proposals and seek funding from outside the agency;

For a complete position description, please visit http://www.kshs.org/p/jobs/11403

Minimum Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in education or related field and one year work experience in teaching.

Preferred Qualifications:

Major course work in United States history, American studies, anthropology, folklore, museum studies, or education.Graduate degree and curriculum training and teaching experience.

How You Will Be Evaluated:
Once you complete and submit your application package, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the minimum requirements.  Next, your application will be evaluated and rated based on your ability to demonstrate the following minimum competency factors:

* Ability to develop project goals and objectives.
* Knowledge of project budgets and the ability to accomplish the project goals while maintaining the budget.
* Ability to research, develop, write and produce original curriculum materials.
* Ability to use digital and web based formats in the creation of curriculum materials.
* Ability to successfully write grant proposals and obtain funding.
* Ability to present educational and interpretive programs to individuals and organizations.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and in person.

What To Expect Next:

Once your completed application package, including all required documents (see below) is received, an evaluation of your qualifications will be conducted in order to determine your ranking. Based on this ranking, you may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

Performance Standards:

To be successful, the expectation is that a candidate will be able to competently perform the routine tasks of the position with limited supervision by the end of the probation period.

How To Apply:

***NOTE*: Submission of a resume IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of the State of Kansas Employment Application.Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in you not being considered for employment.

The application process has 4 REQUIRED STEPS.

STEP 1: Register by completing the online Personal Data Form at http://da.ks.gov/ps/aaa/recruitment/jobsteps.htm

(Skip this step if you already have an  Applicant ID number.)

STEP 2: Complete the official State of Kansas application form at http://da.ks.gov/ps/aaa/recruitment/intro.htm

STEP 3: Submit your <strong>online application</strong> to the Historical Society

STEP 4: Submit additional<strong>required documents</strong> to the attention of the specific recruiter designated on this job announcement.

*Required Documents: ***

* State of Kansas Employment application
* Cover Letter
* Resume or Vita
* Writing Sample
* References

Contact Information: Vicki Harding, Human Resources
Phone:785-368-6496
Email:jobs@kshs.org
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate:

Each applicant applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a State Tax Clearance Certificate by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website at http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxclearance.html. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual’s account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. Applicants are responsible for submitting their certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact the agency recruiter if reasonable accommodations are needed for any part of the application or hiring process.

The Historical Society is an ADA/EOE/VPE agency, committed to a diverse workforce.

*Veterans Preference’ Eligible (VPE):*  Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager. Additional VPE information can be found at http://da.ks.gov/ps/aaa/recruitment/veterans.htm

Information Flyer

Unfinished ceiling in Gardner Historical Museum garage

Volunteers Rusty and Claude just finishing the work on the garage.

Mike Wolf and Frank Fritz of The History Channel’s American Pickers have coined the phrase, “Rusty Gold,”   which is their definition of the treasures they find in barns and scrap piles on people’s property across America. Though, what if these “treasures” were stored out of the elements and in a proper place, so they could be enjoyed for generations to come? Thus, they would not be deteriorated and rusted.

Museums throughout the world discovered years ago the benefits of climate controlled storage. Gardner Historical Museum has not had the funds to achieve such a goal of a climate controlled storage facility until the fall of 2011. The Gardner Historical Museum was the recipient of a 2011 KMA Institutional Project Grant.

On October 18, 2011 Gardner Historical Museum received a letter of approval for a grant in the amount of $500 dollars from the KMA. Shortly after, the maintenance committee began work on making the garage of the museum’s Bray House, an annex to the Museum, a climate controlled space for storage. Chair of the maintenance committee, Claude Steed said, “Our goal was to make this space as weather resistant as possible.”

Starting with open rafters, un-insulated walls, and one single paned window, the maintenance committee had their work cut out. To fully utilize the space, they built in an attic space with insulation and sheet rock underneath. Hickman Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. of Gardner, Kansas came in and installed duct work and venting, so heating and cooling could be regulated. The raised wooden floor had been built earlier by local mason Terry Austin, to put space between the badly cracked cement floor. Insulation and paneling was installed on the walls as well as new lighting and the window was weatherized.

The museum is already utilizing the space and the members are ecstatic over the outcome. Future plans for the space include adding flooring to the attic space for storage of less climate sensitive items, putting a clothes rod up and painting.   Board member, Charlie Troutner labored to move all the items which were being stored, out of the garage space prior to the remodel and recently after the New Year moved the items back. Troutner stated, “This is no longer just a garage, it is a proper storage facility for our artifacts that we were in desperate need of.”

To find out more about “Where the Trails Divided” visit Gardner History Museum or call 913-856 – 4447.

–by Mica Marriott-Ward

When our original museum displays were constructed, a small shelf was built into the wall in the back of the building.  This shelf held supplemental reading materials for our visitors to browse and use for research. Recently, these supplemental reading materials were moved, as a reorganization of the museum provided a better space for these books.  This left us with an empty space in the back our museum, and the desire to use this space to display more artifacts.

Like many small museums, our display cases do not provide the level of protection necessary for certain artifacts.  In particular, the lights in our museum and in our display cases put artifacts like hand-written documents, certain fabrics, and old photographs at risk for deterioration. Of course, changing all the lights in our museum is cost prohibitive.  But, we thought that if we could turn this now empty shelf space into an exhibit case that could safely display these types of artifacts, we could at least put some of these objects on display on a temporary basis.

The KMA grant allowed us to buy a UV-resistant acrylic front for our case, which protects the artifacts from the fluorescent lighting in the museum, and of course provides a barrier between the artifacts and our visitors.  The grant also allowed us to purchase recessed LED lighting for the interior of the case.  Again, the LED lighting limits the amount of UV light our artifacts receive.  We replaced the wooden bookshelves previously installed in the case with glass shelving, allowing the light to filter through to the bottom of the case.  We purchased acrylic menu holders, which will allow us to write descriptive placards for each unique display, while maximizing the amount of space used for the artifacts on each shelf.  Our contractor even found a way to give us access to the exhibit from the back of the display.  By moving the lock to the back of the case, the exhibit has a clean look for our visitors, and the artifacts are safer from theft.  This also makes changing the displays much easier.

We are already using this new exhibit space to display a portion of our Earl Ansell World War II collection (pictured), and have heard very
positive responses from our guests.  The photographs and letter on display have never before been exhibited.  In the next few months we are planning an exhibit of glass slides used in kerosene projectors to advertise local businesses.  The LED lighting in the case illuminates the slides perfectly.  We also plan to display a collection of Civil War letters, World War I letters and diaries, and old tintype photographs in our new case.

None of these items could have been put on display without this new exhibit case, and we could not have built this case without the KMA grant.  Thank you to the Kansas Museums Association for your support.  Stop by and see us
and our new display at the Allen County Historical Society!

On April 13th and 14th, 2012, Mrs. Clark will bring her expertise in historic clothing construction to the Historic Woods Chapel Church  in Lee’s Summit MO for a workshop that will focus on women’s clothing in the 1850-1860 time frame.  This will be a great workshop for re-enactors, historic interpreters, historic clothing enthusiasts, costume designers, museum curators or anyone else with an interest in historic clothing.  Come learn the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’ of historic dressing.

Elizabeth Stewart Clark is an historic clothing enthusiast, designer, author, and instructor, specializing in American clothing for women and children in the mid-19th century.  She began sewing early in life, and discovered a facility for design and construction, in addition to the ability to ‘translate’ period instructions for modern use.  She is quick to reassure the beginner, and adds depth to the knowledge of experienced students, and enjoys working with sewists and enthusiasts of all ages.

Please share the attached flyer that details the contents of this workshop and registration information with your staff, volunteers and any other historic clothing enthusiasts you know.

The Kansas Museums Association invites you to submit session proposals that explore the successes, challenges and opportunities available to Kansas museums.  We are seeking sessions related to collaboration, marketing and public relations, collections care, exhibits, education, volunteer management and any other topic related to the diverse and dynamic work of museums.

Deadline – April 15, 2012

Sessions_RFP_ 2012

Red

Exhibit Opens February 3rd and continues through March 10th at The Butler County History Center, Home of the Kansas Oil Museum.

Red Desert, Green Prairie, Blue Sky: Photographing the West opens this week at The Butler County History Center, 383 E. Central, El Dorado, KS.  This striking photography exhibition documents the cultural landscape of the Great Plains, featuring the Red Desert of Wyoming, the prairie of Central Kansas, and the Llano Estacado of northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico.

These three regions belong to the arid expanse of the United States between the Missouri River and Rocky Mountains that was known as the Great American Desert in the 1800s because of the fragile, hostile character of the land. Perceived as an inhospitable wasteland, the High Plains did not attract European American settlers until the 1860s.

George Jerkovich’s panoramic scenes memorialize the diversity of the Kansas prairie—from the rolling hills of the Dakota Sandstone region to the flat, semi-arid plains. Alternatively his photographs capture the evolution of Kansas agriculture from family farms to agribusiness as reflected in images of sunflower-dotted green prairies, expansive wheat fields, and dying small towns.

The Butler County History Center is hosting a variety of events throughout the month of February.  An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 3rd, from 5-6 pm for members only, and 6-8 pm for the public.  The opening will feature Flint Hills poetry and light refreshments.  Celebrate Kansas! Family Day, will be held on Saturday, February 4th, from 1-3 pm.  Children’s activities, demonstrations, and history interpreters will be featured throughout the day.  Additionally, on Thursday, February 23rd, from 6:30-8:30, the museum is presenting another exhibit, Flint Hills Artist Showcase, in which there will be guest speakers, live music, cider and cookies.  All events are free and held at BCHC, 383 E. Central, El Dorado, KS 67042.  For additional information, please call 316.321.9333. Also visit www.kansasoilmuseum.org.

The exhibition is organized and toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 20 exhibitions on tour to more than 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. Mid-America is the oldest nonprofit regional arts organization in the United States. More information is available at www.maaa.org and www.eusa.org.

Red Desert, Green Prairie, Blue Sky: Photographing the West Flyer

The area surrounding the Kansas Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway is internationally recognized for its abundance of wildlife.  However, it is also a land rich in history and culture.  The seven communities linked along the byway corridor, Stafford, St. John, Hudson, Great Bend, Elinwood, Claflin and Hoisington – each contain fascinating stories about the people who settled here.

One of the stories that binds all these communities together is the mass immigration of the African Americans following the Civil War. It was called the Kansas Fever  Exodus, a name taken from the Bible, as in “the flight of the Israelities from Egypt.”  Theirs marked one of the most remarkable migrations in the United States, following the Civil War.  Those who participated were called Exodusters.

To find out more about this remarkable time in history, receive a brochure, or schedule a group tour please contact our office by calling (620)792-2750.

The Exoduster brochure is also available as a download at our websites www.visitgreatbend.com and www.kansasbyway.com. Also see http://byways.org/stories/81685

A Discussion with Artist Samella Lewis and Collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley

Presented by the Friends of Wichita Art Museum (WAM) and The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM)

Please join us on Saturday, February 18 for an afternoon with artist, art historian, curator and professor, Dr. Samella Lewis.  Lewis has spent her life in the pursuit of and the promotion of African American art and artists. She has completed four degrees, five films and seven books all while creating a substantial body of her own art. Joining her will be distinguished collectors of African American art, Harmon and Harriet Kelley.

Begin with appetizers and a wine social at The Kansas African American Museum. While there, enjoy TKAAM’s Samella Lewis Collection. Then travel to WAM to enjoy a tour of WAM’s exhibition entitled The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art, and a discussion with Dr. Lewis and the Kelleys, followed by a short reception in the S. Jim and Darla Farha Great Hall. The discussion will touch on a variety of topics including the role African American art has played in shaping the American identity. The lecture and receptions are free and open to the public.

Dinner will be available in the Muse, by reservation only; call 316.268.4973.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

• Appetizers and Wine Social at TKAAM at 2 pm
• Tour WAM’s exhibition at 4 pm
• Round Table Discussion in WAM’S Howard E. Wooden Lecture Hall at 4:30 pm
• Dinner is available at WAM’s Muse Cafe at 6 pm

Lecture provided by the  Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Endowment – Howard E. Wooden Lecture Series

TKAAM is located at 601 North Water Street. Free parking is available in the parking garage directly across from the Museum. For more information about The Kansas African American Museum visit tkaamuseum.org.

The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art is on view at the Wichita Art Museum from February 19 through May 13, 2012. For more information about the Wichita Art Museum visit wichitaartmuseum.org.