Countywide effort

To the editor:

I write to correct a serious spell-check error in Wednesday’s article about Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. The article made it sound like I thought it was necessary to educate the “county” when, in fact, my statements were all directed at making sure the “country” knows the story of the role that this region played in the days leading up to the Civil War. The good people of Douglas County are an integral part of Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. Indeed, the entire effort relied heavily on the dedication, knowledge, investment, and sheer hard work of many people in Douglas County.

Lawrence and Douglas County are very much partners in this endeavor. I have only to point to the extraordinary work of Paul Bahnmaier and the Lecompton Historical Society, Martha Parker at the Clinton Museum, Ramon Powers and the Blackjack Trust, Dorthea Jackson of the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society, Fred and Lillian Six preserving Blanton’s Crossing and Brenda Day at the Baker University Museum. The list goes on and on. The stories of this region would be incomplete and incorrect without the remarkable work that has been done over many years in preserving and telling these important stories. The county already knows the story. The nation deserves to hear it.

I am grateful for the support of so many volunteers, city and county officials, Chamber of Commerce leaders and members, and federal officials for their support of this effort. It has been a monumental project and, because of the support of people in both the city and the county, will leave a legacy for years to come. Please note that “county” and “country” are quite different for this purpose.

Deanell Reece Tacha,

Lawrence