The Official Web Site of Stafford County, Kansas

St. John News

            Edmond Burke once said, “Those that do not know history are destined to repeat it.”
Since 1976, the Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society in Stafford has been dedicated to making sure people know their local history.
            “We had 700 visitors last year from all over the country, and some international visitors,” said Michael Hathaway, the museum’s executive director. The historical society was started in 1976, and the museum became incorporated in 1979 according to Hathaway. The museum started out in one building on Stafford’s Main Street, which was originally the Farmers National Bank building, but quickly outgrew that location and now has three additional annexes along with an outdoor display. The main office is located at 100 N. Main, across from the old Duckwalls store.
            Hathaway said the family panels are one of the more popular displays along with a collection of antique automobiles, horse-drawn hearse, and a wagon built by the Studebaker Company before they began manufacturing automobiles.
            Another unique display in the building is a covered wagon with a canvas top that covered a horse-drawn wagon used by Jim Henry in 1939 when he and Eugene Estep made a cross country trip from Kansas to California carrying a proclamation from the governor of Kansas to the governor of California. At the various stops along the way people signed their name to the canvas. Hathaway said the wagon never made the return trip, but the canvas covering it was brought back and later put on another wagon from the same time period.
            The museum houses bound editions of many of the old newspapers from around the area.
“We have 27 different newspapers here,” Hathaway said. “Some we only have one or two editions because that was all the longer they were in business.” Rows of file cabinets hold family records, photographs and other historic items that many have found useful in tracking their family’s genealogy.
            Other displays in the building include a variety of medical equipment from the early 1900s, an early Maytag washing machine sold by Coen Electric from St. John. The store is now gone, but the top loading washer with wringer still boasts, “That new Maytag, you’ve had your heart set on.”
A corn sled built in Stafford, plows, and old harvesting equipment fill the outdoor display. Old photographs adorn the walls of all the buildings, and history of many of the small communities no longer in existence fills the four buildings.
            The museum buildings are open from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 1-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and appointment by calling 620-234-5664.

St. John Science Museum

James Hood Curator

1969 Kansas Teacher of the Year

1989 Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee

Mr. Hood, as he is know to hundreds of former students, has dedicated himself to teaching, the physical sciences in a manner than everyone can learn from. Now retired, he has established a nationally known, working museum of scientific demonstrations that young and old can enjoy.

Often referred to as the "Mad Scientist" of St. John, Mr. Hood has created his demonstrations from parts found in every day tools and appliances. Dead refrigerators, microwaves, televisions, bicycles, etc., are never able to rest in peace as long as Mr. Hood is around to dig them up from their final resting places, the junkyard.

Growing up during the 1930's depression and serving as a flight engineer aboard a B-24 bomber during World War II taught Mr. Hood how science was part of our everyday life and that materials discarded by one person could be a valuable resource to another. Most visitors of the St. John Science Museum are also treated to a first hand history lesson, explaining the origins of much of our common technology today.

The St. John Science Museum welcomes all visitors. School field trips, tour buses, or those out wandering the countryside looking for an unusual attraction are encouraged to visit. St. John, Kansas is located 50 miles west of Hutchinson off US 50 and 25 miles south of Great Bend off US 281. The Science Museum is on Main Street, located on the west side of the beautiful town square.

Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Please call in advance for bus tours or school field trips.

In the Science Museum you will see:

Electricity Traveling Through The Air!

A Bicycle Generator That Puts You To Work!

Fiber Optics In Action With No Fiber Optics Cable!

Magnetic Force Fields In Action!

Many more fascinating demonstrations of physical sciences, found only in beautiful downtown St. John, Kansas.

St. John Science Museum
c/o James Hood
St. John, Kansas 67576
620-549-3347
www.stjohnsciencemuseum.org

Photography courtesty of Jerry Seagraves. THANKS Jerry!

Stafford County Hidden Treasures

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St. John Science Museum