Humanities Kansas: Preserving Traditions, Connecting Kansans

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting four communities in Kansas to document five presentations on behalf of Humanities Kansas for Kansas Folklife: Celebrating Kansas Traditions. This series of events was funded through the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The events were unique, diverse, and engaging, with each drawing an enthusiastic audience. In total, more than 50 events have taken place across Kansas, beginning in March and continuing through the end of August 2026. Each event partnered with a local library or museum to celebrate Kansas folklife with a focus on traditions that have shaped the state's history. Whether those stories came from Native communities or immigrant families, each has played an important role in Kansas' identity.

For Tracy Quillin, Associate Director of Humanities Kansas, the series was designed to bring people together through curiosity and shared experiences. "Kansans are curious people, we like to learn and we like to learn about traditions that are different from our own, and we like to come together and learn from one another. This opportunity was just that—to gather, learn and connect around something they may have never experienced." That spirit of curiosity was evident at every stop.

The journey began in Lindsborg, where Donna Rae Pearson explored the history and significance of Juneteenth through food and drink during The Taste of Freedom: A Juneteenth Foodways Journey. Pearson showed how recipes passed from generation to generation carry stories of resilience, family, and freedom. Food became more than something shared around a table—it became a way of preserving history and connecting communities.

In Wamego, participants stepped onto the dance floor with Derrick Doty during Let's Dance! Traditional Dance in Kansas. Rather than simply talking about dance traditions, Doty invited the audience to experience them firsthand. Strangers quickly became dance partners, laughter filled the room, and history came alive through movement.

The next stop brought the series to Newton, where members of the Lindsborg Folkdanslag demonstrated traditional Swedish folk dancing. Through colorful costumes, live instruction, and audience participation, the group highlighted a tradition that has been preserved for generations and remains an important part of Lindsborg's cultural identity today.

In Manhattan, cowboy poet Ron Wilson shared stories from the prairie during Ridin' Trails and Writin' Rhymes: Cowboy Culture of Kansas. Through poetry, humor, and personal experiences, Wilson painted a picture of ranch life while reminding the audience that cowboy culture is more than a romantic image of the Old West—it is a living tradition rooted in hard work, storytelling, and a deep connection to the land.

The final presentation returned to Newton, where Anita Mendoza shared the history of Kansas Mexican American fast-pitch softball in Root, Root, Root for the Home Team!. Through photographs and personal stories, Mendoza celebrated the athletes, families, and communities who built a thriving softball tradition across Kansas, preserving an important chapter of the state's history.

Although each presentation focused on a different tradition, together they illustrated the remarkable diversity of Kansas. From food and dance to poetry and sports, each event offered a window into the people and cultures that have shaped the state for generations.

That idea is central to the mission of Humanities Kansas. As Quillin explained, "That's what Humanities Kansas is—to bring people together around a movement of ideas across the state of Kansas. That movement of ideas involves people coming together to spark ideas and strengthen our democracy."

After spending time in these communities, it was easy to see that mission in action. The presentations were about far more than preserving history—they created opportunities for neighbors to gather, ask questions, share experiences, and discover traditions they may have never encountered before. In doing so, they reminded everyone in attendance that the story of Kansas is not a single narrative, but a collection of traditions that continue to shape the state today.

For more on Humanities Kansas, and to see the calendar of remaining events please visit their website. https://www.humanitieskansas.org/ Photos and article by Tanner Colvin

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