We were unable to tour the museum but the grounds surrounding the Mission are beautiful. The Mission sits very near the Neosho River and can also be reached by the Neosho River Walk.
The Kaw Indians were relocated to the Neosho River Valley in 1848. The Mission was operated by the Methodists who were funded by the U.S. government.
The school was an attempt to educate Kaw children and mold their thinking. It was an attempt influence the Kaw to give up their semi-nomad, hunting lifestyle and become fixed Christian farmers.
At best, the school only averaged around 30 students who were mostly orphans and dependents of the tribe. In addition, the teacher did not speak the Kaw language and had to use an interpreteur.
The Mission school was only in operation from 1851-1854.
The state of Kansas takes its name from the Kaw or Kansa Indian tribe.
Wiley, you should read Kathy Albrecht's "The Lost Pet Chronicles" and Philip Gonzalez's "The Dog Who Rescued Cats". Be careful about the squirrels, though....they are much too smart! They take my pet cat on a wild goose chase on a regular basis!
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