Architecture of the People’s Houses

Kansas has 105 county courthouses and hundreds of city halls, plus a few more state capitals than you might expect. The manifestation of the greatest ideals occurs in these buildings, where the work of the people's democracy is in action. The designs of these buildings tell us about the evolution of local government in the state. Larger societal issues, such as the Free State and the Civil Rights movements, can also be examined through the architecture of place. Some resemble Greek and Roman temples of democratic ideals while others convey the Victorian notions of civility. Still others are nondescript storefronts. Regardless of scale and beauty, these buildings represent symbols of our shared values and convey much about our communities. Presented by Murl Riedel.

This presentation is part of "21st Century Civics," a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. "21st Century Civics" is made possible with support from "A More Perfect Union: America at 250," an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Sponsored by: Franklin County Historical Society / Old Depot Museum

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For more information about this event, please contact:
Diana Staresinic-Deane
(785) 242-1250
http://www.olddepotmuseum.org