KHS
TOPEKA — The Kansas Historical Foundation and the Kansas Historical Society announced they have received a $1 million gift from the Overland Park-based Sunderland Foundation. With this major gift the Kansas Historical Foundation’s Honor · Education · Inspire Capital Campaign, with a goal to raise $7 million for new exhibits for the Kansas Museum of History, is 67 percent complete. In addition to the Sunderland Foundation donation, the Historical Foundation and Historical Society announced as part of their 144th annual meeting that they have received $250,000 from the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust.
The Sunderland family’s roots extend far into Kansas history. In 1882 the family founded Ash Grove White Lime Association in Ash Grove, Missouri. The company took over a plant in Chanute, Kansas, in 1908. The Ash Grove Cement Company materials were used to construct highways, bridges, commercial and industrial complexes, and single- and multi-family homes. Through four generations of the Sunderland family, between 1909 and 2018, the company grew to become the fifth largest manufacturer of Portland cement in the United States, the sixth largest in North America.
Lester T. Sunderland created the family foundation in 1945. The Sunderland Foundation, based in Overland Park, has invested in places and spaces where nonprofits do their work, including capital improvement and one-time special projects in the areas of arts and culture and education. The foundation’s focus on funding has helped nonprofits fulfill their missions and foster stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities. His two sons, Paul Sunderland and Allen B. Sunderland, carried on his philanthropy.
“We are excited to leave this important legacy for future generations of Kansans,” said Kent Sunderland, president of the Sunderland Foundation. “This innovative project will help students be proud of their state’s role in the nation.”
The Sunderland Foundation donation follows the $1 million donation from the Hansen Foundation of Logan in 2015. These two $1 million gifts are the largest gifts the Historical Foundation and Historical Society have received.
The Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Bank of America, donated $250,000 toward the capital campaign. The Humphreys Trust supports important programming for underserved and disadvantaged populations in east central Kansas. Humphreys was a rancher, businessman, and philanthropist who lived in Arvonia and Osage City.
The Kansas Museum of History’s new exhibits will honor those who have come before us. They will tell the stories of Kansas in a way that resonates in the 21st century. The new exhibits are projected to open in January 2023. Since the Museum’s opening in 1984 nearly 2 million people have visited. Each year the Historical Society serves more than 20 million people onsite and online through its award-winning programs that also include historic preservation, tax credits, archaeology, state historic sites, and archives.
As part of the annual members meeting, Historical Foundation officers and board members were elected. Officers of the Foundation for 2019-2020 are Carol Bales, Logan, president; Lidia Hook Gray, Liberal, president elect; F. Dave Seaton, Winfield, vice president; Rita L. Noll, Council Grove, secretary; Don Chubb, Topeka, past president; and Jon Boursaw, Topeka, treasurer. Reelected as members of the executive committee are Shelly Hickman Clark, Lawrence; Gennifer House, Goodland; and Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield, Topeka. Newly elected to the executive committee are Linda Jeffrey, Topeka; and Herschel L. Stroud, Topeka. Retiring from the executive committee are William Kassebaum, Burdick; and Hal Ross, Wichita. Retiring from the board of directors are Jane Deterding, Wichita; Karen Linn, Topeka; Michael Stubbs, Eskridge, who will be moving to the honorary board; and Vern Swanson, Clay Center.
The Kansas Historical Foundation, a 501(c) (3), is a fund raising, fund management, membership, and retail organization, whose mission is to support the Historical Society, a state agency. Established together by newspapers editors in 1875, the organizations jointly hold the annual meeting to elect officers and board members.