June 16, 2021
KANSAS TEACHERS’ HALL OF FAME
603 N. Fifth St, Dodge City, Kansas 67801
When I saw the brochure advertising the Teachers’ Hall of Fame, I knew I had to visit.
The Hall of Fame Gallery has pictures and bios of all of the inductees into this special class. Next, there is a room displaying teaching artifacts from throughout the years, including textbooks, student desks, lunch boxes, typewriters and even a mimeograph machine. A new addition to this museum is a restored 1887 one-room school house with many of its original furnishings, including an upright piano.
The sign for the Hall of Fame shares a billing with the Gunfighters Wax Museum. I was curious about what the two had in common until I entered the building and the two retired teachers manning the front desk explained that the upkeep of the Hall of Fame was paid for with the admissions to the wax museum. I, of course, went through the wax museum.
Wild Bill Hickok
Characters from the Gunsmoke television show.
Billy the Kid.
Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and Wyatt Earp playing poker.
Chief Sitting Bull
Inside the one-room schoolhouse.
The original piano that was in the school.
The teacher's desk in the one-room school house.
A display inside the Hall of Fame.
A mimeograph machine, similar to the one I used when I started my teaching career.