We, the People of Kansas... The Story of Kansas's Founding Documents, 1820-2020
Advertisement
"We, The People of Kansas... The Story of Kansas’s Founding Documents, 1820-2020,” a presentation and discussion by Virgil Dean, will take place on 10/13 at 6:00pm at Tebo Library's W.R. & Yvonne Robbins Forum at 502 S. Campus Drive. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas and will be offered in a hybrid format to attend in person or via Zoom. Register for the Zoom event here: https://bit.ly/250HK
This event is a part of the 250th Declaration of Independence events, exhibits, and challenges at Fort Hays State University during the Fall 2026 semester. Learn more at www.fhsuguides.fhsu.edu/250
About the Presentation: A nation or state’s founding documents speak to the values and aspirations of its people, and at a functional level, provide the functions of government. For the United States, these are the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and for Kansas, the 1859 Wyandotte Constitution qualifies. It stipulated the form of government, a bill of rights, and systems for elections, education, public institutions, and even the formation of counties and townships. This talk will explore the key components of the Wyandotte Constitution and look at other foundational documents in the state’s history. Support for “We, The People of Kansas... The Story of Kansas’s Founding Documents, 1820-2020” has been provided by the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.
About the Speaker: Virgil Dean was editor of “Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains,” the quarterly publication of the Kansas State Historical Society, for more than twenty years. He now acts as a consulting editor for the publication.
About Humanities Kansas: Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
This event is a part of the 250th Declaration of Independence events, exhibits, and challenges at Fort Hays State University during the Fall 2026 semester. Learn more at www.fhsuguides.fhsu.edu/250
About the Presentation: A nation or state’s founding documents speak to the values and aspirations of its people, and at a functional level, provide the functions of government. For the United States, these are the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and for Kansas, the 1859 Wyandotte Constitution qualifies. It stipulated the form of government, a bill of rights, and systems for elections, education, public institutions, and even the formation of counties and townships. This talk will explore the key components of the Wyandotte Constitution and look at other foundational documents in the state’s history. Support for “We, The People of Kansas... The Story of Kansas’s Founding Documents, 1820-2020” has been provided by the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.
About the Speaker: Virgil Dean was editor of “Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains,” the quarterly publication of the Kansas State Historical Society, for more than twenty years. He now acts as a consulting editor for the publication.
About Humanities Kansas: Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
502 South Campus Drive, Hays, KS, United States, Kansas 67601
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherFHSU Tebo Library
