To the editor:

The Territorial Capital Museum, which is owned and operated by the Lecompton Historical Society, will be open in December, January and February. Constitution Hall, a national landmark and a Kansas historic site operated by the Kansas State Historical Society, is closed to the general public even though the attendance at Constitution Hall has increased by 1,899 from 2004 to 2006.

State Sen. Marci Francisco is greatly concerned. State Rep. Tom Sloan calls it a travesty. Former Sen. Wint Winter Jr. states that it violates the intent of the donors of the building and the Legislature at the time the property was accepted by the state. State Sen. Peggy Palmer, chairwoman of the House-Senate committee, feels the closing is in direct conflict with what our mission is.

The curators at the 10 closed sites are to be working on educational programming. The curator at Constitution Hall has already been doing this through the outstanding “Bleeding Kansas” lecture series and the play “Bleeding Kansas.” At a time when the Kansas Legislature and the governor have been promoting tourism and rural development, it is interesting that the Kansas State Historical Society closed 10 sites in rural Kansas.

I feel this move to close the sites is a challenge to the heritage of all Kansans. They have spent much blood, sweat and tears to make this a great state, and now this rich, nationally important history is being downplayed by our Kansas State Historical Society.

Paul Bahnmaier, president,

Lecompton Historical Society,

Lecompton