Fort Scott's chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is hosting the Kansas Pioneer Patriots exhibit in the Bailey Hall lobby at Fort Scott Community College. The display features eight Kansans, including Lucinda Todd, Amelia Earhart and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The exhibit will be up through Oct. 6 and is open to the public. Hours are 1 to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Chapter regent Malinda Bailey and member Gertrude Harper organized the exhibit with support from vice regent Barbara Ritter. Bailey said the chapter hopes to draw more visitors in the coming days as the Gordon Parks Celebration continues at FSCC through Oct. 3.
Bailey encouraged community members to visit the exhibit and learn more about Kansas history. She said each figure was chosen to represent a different region of the state.
Lucinda Todd (1903-1996), who was born in Litchfield, represents Southeast Kansas. She attended school in Girard and earned a bachelor's degree from what is now Pittsburg State University.
A teacher, Todd helped spearhead Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down racial segregation in public schools. She was the first of 12 plaintiffs to volunteer in the case.
The chapter brought the exhibit to Fort Scott after displaying it in Pittsburg last week.
"Honor America's history through historic preservation, education, and patriotism" is the chapter's primary goal, according to the organization.
The Molly Foster Berry Chapter, one of several DAR chapters in Kansas, was organized in Fort Scott in 1911. It helped raise money to build Fort Scott's Memorial Hall, where the chapter's offices are still located.
The chapter also hosts educational programs. Last spring, it held an essay contest and several smaller incentive-based events to get students involved in learning American history and American women's history.
Bailey said members volunteer about 1,000 hours a year at local events. That work includes the naturalization ceremony held each September at Fort Scott National Historic Site, as well as support for local veterans and active-duty service members.
In November, the Molly Foster Berry Chapter will join Independence's Esther Lowrey Chapter for a historical event in Independence celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The national Daughters of the American Revolution website catalogs thousands of names and artifacts for those interested in learning more.
The Molly Foster Berry Chapter shares Southeast Kansas history and event information on its Facebook page. Members can also help residents research whether they have ancestors who served in the American Revolution.
