To the editor:

I was shocked when I read in your paper that a member of the Kansas Legislature, a Mission Hills senator, proposed selling the state historic sites.

This would be a total betrayal of trust passed down to us by our predecessors. To sell our history is to sell our souls.

It was suggested that a Blue Ribbon Panel be appointed to determine the importance of Kansas Historic Sites. Be assured that although this may not happen now, once this seed is sown it will surely grow.

I would like to propose to this future panel that they consider selling not the Kansas Historic Sites, but the land surrounding the state history museum in Topeka, and even the history museum itself, before they consider selling off Kansas Historic Sites. After all, the history museum is merely a structure of no particular historical significance. The historic sites are true historic buildings, where actual historic events occurred.

Tourism is one of the leading industries in America and our Kansas Historic Sites play a major role in attracting state, national and international visitors to Kansas to learn about our great history. Kansas history is not for sale to the highest bidder.

Paul M. Bahnmaier,
Lecompton