A military Jeep circa 1956 and a Civil War-vintage cannon will make their way to Lawrence in upcoming days as part of a traveling tribute to the Kansas National Guard.

The historic military equipment is part of the Kansas National Guard’s Mobile Museum. The museum represents 150 years of Kansas National Guard history and is part of a caravan making its way across the state as part of a year-long celebration commemorating the sesquicentennial.

“This is an event to connect with the communities where we have Guard units,” said Kansas National Guard spokeswoman Joy Moser. “We have been here in the state for a long time and over the years people forget what the history of the Kansas National Guard is or they may not even know it. This is a way to inform them.”

The tour began Sunday in Goodland and will continue through Aug. 12, visiting more than 50 Kansas communities. The tour will stop in Lawrence from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 25 at the Kansas Army National Guard building, 200 Iowa.

In addition to the Mobile Museum, other events have been planned as part of the Kansas National Guard's celebration of 150 years. In Topeka, the Guard will have a dinner and dance on Aug. 27 and a memorial service on Aug. 28.

The mobile museum includes photos, documents, uniforms and other pieces selected from the Kansas National Guard Museum in Topeka.

“The history of the Kansas National Guard touches every corner of the state,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, adjutant general for Kansas. “Since 1855, the Kansas National Guard has provided homeland security, responded to natural disasters and brought real value to the communities where they are located.”

The tour provides an opportunity to showcase the contributions of men and women who have served Kansas and the nation through the state’s National Guard, Bunting said.

The history of the Kansas National Guard began when a territorial militia was formed in 1855.

The Kansas National Guard's Mobile Museum will be part of a caravan making its way across the state and will be on display in several communities.

“A lot of men who were part of the government at that time were also guardsmen,” Moser said.

In addition to the tour, other events have been planned as part of the Kansas National Guard’s celebration of 150 years. The Guard will have a dinner and dance on Aug. 27 and a memorial service on Aug. 28. Both events will be in Topeka, Moser said.

“We’ll also be celebrating with a cake-cutting at the Statehouse on Aug. 30,” she said.

For more information about the Kansas National Guard’s sesquicentennial, go to www.accesskansas.org/ksadjutantgeneral and click on the 150th symbol.