Local history in good hands

Congratulations to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum as it celebrates 75 years of collecting, preserving and presenting the objects that tell the unique story of our 144-year-old community.

The museum grew out of the Settlers Society and Sedgwick County Pioneer Society, variously exhibiting items at the old courthouse, the old Forum (starting in 1939, as the Wichita Public Museum) and a College Hill estate. It now has a collection of nearly 70,000 artifacts and, since 1979, also has been the peerless caretaker of the glorious old City Hall building at 204 S. Main and its iconic clock tower.

As the museum pauses from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday for an anniversary party with food, drink, entertainment and 24 exhibits ($75; call 316-265-9314), it’s fitting to offer thanks to current director Eric Cale, 36-year former director Robert Puckett, and the hundreds of donors, volunteers and staffers who enabled the institution to win and maintain accreditation status from the American Association of Museums and to reach this milestone.

The Wichita-Sedgwick County community can’t know its future, but it can be grateful that its history is in good hands.

For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published September 25, 2014 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Local history in good hands."