Museum Of The Kansas National Guard Inc

Museum Operations and AttendanceThe Museum of the Kansas National Guard hosted 19,557 visitors who signed the Visitor Register, and several hundred others who did not sign the register, during the year from 43 states and 9 foreign countries, utilizing Volunteer Hosts. The Museum was open 301 days from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for routine visitor hours and 57 additional times for events and activities for a total of 2248 hours of volunteer host labor. The Museum has no admission charge, but accepts voluntary contributions.The Museum answered 194 internet, personal, and telephone historical inquiries pertaining to military service, unit histories, insignia, photos, etc.The Museum serves as the location for the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame and the 35th Division Hall of Fame, with photo displays prepared for 2024 inductees into each.The Museum Libraries and archives continue to serve as research centers for soldier and unit history, as well as checkout of reading books by the public.The Museum hosts an updated website at www.kansasguardmuseum.org, whichprovides a history and virtual tour of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard exhibits inside and outside the Museum, as well as a Museum Facebook page with at least weekly postings.The Museum provided tours for 22 school and community groups.Museum staff provided speakers for 9 community group meetings outside the Museum.The Museum was a partner in a Kansas Commission on Humanities grant to interview Vietnam Veterans for the Library of Congress and Kansas Museum of History, with 17 Vietnam veterans interviewed in the Museum.

Museum EventsThe Museum hosted the following events during the year, all open free:Quarterly Luncheons - The Museum hosted three Quarterly Brown Bag Luncheonswith speakers on the topics of"Early Kansas Aviation," "lLT Wallace Buford-The First Combat Death in Vietnam, and "The Legacy of Erwin Bleckley."Heartland Military Day - The Museum hosted Heartland Military Day on 8 June 2024, complete with military equipment displays, two WW II battle re-enactments, two Civil War Cannon Drills, two band concerts, a Vietnam War exhibit, a Pancake Feed, a Cookout Meal, and other activities.Christmas Volunteer Luncheon & Volunteer Recognition Dinner - The Museumsponsored a Christmas Volunteer Luncheon on 18 Dec 24 and a Volunteer Recognition Dinner on 21 Sep 24 for Volunteers and Board members.Trunk or Treat - The Museum was a co-sponsor with National Guard Family Programs and the host for the Kansas National Guard Trunk or Treat on 28 Oct 24.Fulltime Retiree Luncheon - The Annual Luncheon for Fulltime Topeka Area Guard Employees was held on 3 Apr 24.Korean War Day - The Museum was a co-sponsor of the annual Korean WarRemembrance Day held on 24 July 24.Monthly Coffees - Monthly Coffees were hosted on the first Wednesday of eachmonth.Girls in Aviation Day - The Museum hosted, in conjunction with the Combat Air Museum, a Girl Scout Girls in Aviation Day on 21 Sep 24.Veteran's Day Breakfast - The Museum, in conjunction with the National Guard Assn f Kansas and the Enlisted Assn. of the Kansas National Guard, hosted a free Veteran's Day breakfast on Wed, 6 Nov 24.Museum Car & Truck Show - The Museum sponsored/hosted a Museum Car & TruckShow on 25 May 24.The Museum hosted Staff Calls, Commander's Calls, Promotion Ceremonies,Officer and NCO Professional Developments, and other activities during the year.The Museum hosted NOAKS, EANGKS, 35th Division Assn Executive Committee,National Guard Hall of Fame Board and Selection Committee meetings; Civil War Roundtables; Cub Scout and Girl Scout meetings and campouts; Kaw Valley Chapter of the Military Officer Assn. meetings; Blue Sky Squadron meetings; Sons of both Confederate and Union Veterans meetings; Kansas National Guard Foundation meetings; Railroad Retirement Group meetings; Kansas Army National Guard Recruiter meetings; Army and Air National Guard meetings andbriefings; USAR Physical Fitness Tests; retiree celebrations, a Retired General Officer Briefing; Celebrations of Life; Rolling Thunder MVP A meetings; American Legion Capitol Post 1 meetings; Kaw Valley Amateur Radio Club meetings; etc. on a regular basis during the year.