Constitution Hall will be open on weekends starting next month.
The Kansas State Historical Society announced Thursday that the Civil War-era building in Lecompton will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday starting Jan. 5. That schedule will continue until regular hours resume March 1.
"We were trying to help out the community, knowing that they were very interested in having the site open more hours," said Bobbi Athon, spokeswoman for the historical society in Topeka.
In November, the society decided to suspend for the winter regular hours at the hall and other state historic sites because of a lack of resources. It was to be open by appointment and special events only.
The society also wanted administrators to work on plans for getting more local support and education programs for the historic sites.
Constitution Hall supporters in Douglas County spoke out against the closing decision and sent letters of protest to the society. The Lecompton Historical Society, which operates the town's Lane University and Territorial Capital Museum, noted the cooperative ventures it has with Constitution Hall and its administrator, Tim Rues.
Paul Bahnmaier, president of the Lecompton Historical Society, said he was pleased with the state's decision.
"We're most excited about it," he said. "I think it is important for the heritage and history of the state of Kansas for (Constitution Hall) to be available to the public."
The Territorial Capital Museum continues to be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Comments
Sigmund 10 years, 10 months ago
WOOOHOOOO! I can't wait to book my weekend trip. Man, that sure is a load off of my mind! I was worried I was going to have to wait till March to book this trip, but now any weekend before March 1. It is so good to know that the Historical Society found the money to keep it opened. I am sure the crowds would have been HUGE in March from the pent up demand over the winter.
Oh, who am I kidding. There were probably more letters of protest than there will be visitors.
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