Trail Talk

Today’s Pawnee County, Kansas, was at the heart of the Santa Fe Trail. Located midway between Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico, the area was busy in the mid-1800s as traders moved goods between the United States and Mexico. Members of many Indigenous nations, soldiers from nearby Fort Larned, and early settlers were also living and working in this area. Well-worn trail ruts from the heavy commercial wagons and nearby “Pawnee Rock” serve as reminders to the impact of the trail across Kansas. 

To help tell the story of this dynamic and complex moment in American history, the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum and Library opened a new immersive exhibition called “The Trail Through their Eyes.” Supported by an HK Humanities for All grant, the new exhibition features the voices and stories of 13 individuals representative of people living, working and traveling through the area in the 1800s. The stories come alive through video and are voiced by local community actors.  

“A key aspect of the exhibit is its focus on bringing the personal stories of these travelers to the forefront,” explained Katelyn Nusser, member of the exhibition committee. “Rather than simply presenting the historical facts, the experience emphasizes the day-to-day lives of those who made the journey, their personal struggles, dreams, and relationships.”

Visitors to the museum choose whose journey they want to follow, and a short two-minute video provides background to the historical figure. QR codes placed at various exhibits link to audio and video narratives, allowing visitors to hear the figure’s perspective on life, struggles, and experiences on the Santa Fe Trail. A writing desk section of the exhibition features letters, diaries, and writings, offering a personal look into the lives of these travelers. Visitors of all ages will also have the opportunity to use a quill pen at a calligraphy station and send postcards through an old-time mailbox.

Whose trail experience will you choose? Learn more and plan your visit at the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Library. 

Due to the termination of the Humanities Kansas’s federal operating grant by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in April 2025, HK is unable to award funding for new Humanities for All grant proposals until further notice. Please check the website for update. Please let your Member of Congress know that you support funding for Humanities Kansas and Kansas Stories. Here’s how. 

Join the Movement of Ideas

• VISIT the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum and Library to see “The Trail Through Their Eyes.” 
• FIND DAR markers in Kansas. In the early 1900s, the Daughters of the America Revolution erected 89 red granite markers along the Santa Fe Trail. Be on the lookout as you travel the trail. Find locations here.  
• WATCH and read about “The Road to Santa Fe,” a documentary film by Prairie Hollow Productions supported by an HK grant.

Movement on the Map

Photos by Alba Gutierrez-Ortiz

Dodge City Community College (DC3) hosted the first Kansas Folklife: Celebrating Kansas Traditions event on March 12. Tara Mitchell, deputy tribal historic preservation officer for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, presented  “Babisyakat̄ek: It Is Beaded,” exploring the tradition of beadwork. Mitchell explained how the art form carries stories, reflects identity and helps sustain cultural traditions across generations. Following the presentation, Mitchell guided attendees on how to do the craft. Explore more Kansas Folklife opportunities on HK’s Calendar of Events.

Kansas Folklife: Celebrating Kansas Traditions is part of "By the People: Beyond 250," a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the nation in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed  by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Kansas Folklife catalog of presenters was created for Kansas by Humanities Kansas. 

Thank you to Dodge City Community College for sharing photos and information about this event.