Onaga Historical Society

10/26/2026

Invite those members of your family who have served in the United States military to come with you to this program.

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

Three weeks ago part of Mrs. Glessner's students participated in the Declaration of Independence 250 travelling exhibit at the Museum. As part of the learning experience, the students returned to the classroom to write a message for Americans in the next 250 years, explaining a character trait they felt was important for the next generations to cultivate. Here is a sampling of their essays, posted with their parents' permission.

One of the expectations was that the student would sign his/her message in cursive just as members signed the original document of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

This is a list of the different traits mentioned by the students:

wisdom
hope
politeness
equality
loyalty
honesty
respect
kindness
responsibility
family

10/22/2026

Where is it Wednesday!
Picture is labeled “flood on old highway 16, Wayne Florence on bridge.”

Do you think it could be the same bridge as the one posted a couple weeks ago that was labeled as being on Red Vermillion? My dad took me along the old highway 16 path after his tour last Saturday and it was quite eye opening for me.

10/21/2026

Here is the video of Donn Teske's area Ghost Town tour he lead this past Saturday. Thank you Donn for doing this! You always provide interesting information!!

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10/21/2026

And now, more of the story --- Remember the photo from last week's What is it Wednesday? This is a Royal Neighbors Quilt from the Wheaton area.

If you did not read all the comments providing information on this post, take a couple of minutes and do so. The following is information posted by Elle Linn:

The event was a fraternal convention and picnic known as a "Log Rolling," hosted by the Modern Woodmen of America (MWA) and their female auxiliary organization, the Royal Neighbors of America.
Fraternal "Log Rollings"
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the term "log rolling" did not mean rolling logs in the water. Instead, it was a play on the "Woodmen" name used to describe large regional gatherings, picnics, and conventions hosted by these fraternal benefit societies.
• The Women in Uniform: These women belonged to the local chapters of the Royal Neighbors of America. Fraternal organizations of this era placed a heavy emphasis on ritual, community service, and synchronized performance.
• The Drill Teams: The uniformed women were part of highly competitive fraternal drill teams. During the two-day event in Onaga, Kansas, they would participate in parades with customized floats and perform intricate, military-style marching routines. Prizes were routinely awarded for the best drill ex*****on and the best appearance in the parade.
A photographic postcard capturing a parade float from this exact Woodmen of America log rolling celebration in Onaga is preserved in the Yale University Library collection of Kansas Postcards.
It looks like Main Street is directly behind them.

It is truly thrilling when various "strands" of the Museum's artifacts begin to weave a story together as this photo is with this quilt. I now have to wonder if my Great Grandmother was one of the uniformed women??

10/21/2026

Here is the video of Donn Teske's presentation of '250 Years in Agriculture' that he gave at the museum Monday night.

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10/20/2026

Donn has graciously consented to posting his notes from the Ghost Town tour held on Saturday. The highlighted towns were among those visited. Thank you, Donn.