Happy Birthday, Kansas! photo contest inspired by Dorrance teen in 1908

Kansas State Historical Society

Kansans work and play every day in their communities. From family-owned auto shops to playgrounds in neighborhood parks and farm fields in the countryside, Kansans lead active lives.

To provide a permanent record of their communities, Kansas students from first through 12th grade are encouraged to photograph people at work and play and enter the second annual Happy Birthday, Kansas! photo contest.

The contest will be held May 4 through October 31, 2015. Winners will be announced as part of the state’s 155th birthday commemoration at the Kansas State Capitol on January 29, 2016.

halbe_l_w_cropped — L. W. Halbe, Dorrance, in 1908

The Happy Birthday, Kansas! photo contest is inspired by L. W. Halbe, a teenager who captured the scenes from his time and place growing up in Dorrance.

In 1908, with a small box camera, 15-year-old Halbe began taking photos of family and friends at work and play. He left us with a remarkable portrait of his view of Kansas, now among the Kansas Historical Society collections and available on Kansas Memory.

Twelve first place and 12 second place prizes will be awarded. First place prizes are iPads; second place prizes are Kindles. For more information and a complete list of contest rules, visit happybirthdayks.org.

Halbe's photo of Brown's garage, August 29, 1911, Russell County (Photo courtesy KS Historical Society) — Halbe’s photo of Brown’s garage, August 29, 1911, Russell County (Photo courtesy KS Historical Society)

The inaugural contest in 2014 drew more than 570 entries from 55 Kansas counties. Contest is sponsored by the Kansas legislative spouses in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society.