Senior Wednesdays are informational and entertaining sessions, designed for active seniors and offered by a collaboration of local institutions. Learn more at Seniorwednesday.org
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum offers their Senior Wednesdays on the 4th Wednesday of each month, January-October.
APRIL’S TOPIC: KANSAS MUSIC HISTORY
PRESENTED BY DERRICK DOTY
What is it like to be a musician from Kansas and what can their music tell us about time and place? Using music and storytelling, this presentation explores informal music traditions, styles, and musicians from Territorial Kansas up through the age of the radio, and concludes with a demonstration of various instruments and music from early 19th and 20th century Kansas.
About the Author
For twelve years, Derrick ran the Council Grove Barber Shop where he gained an incredible insight into local folklore and history. This led to writing a regular history column for the Council Grove Republican and publishing a book on Morris County in 2014. Also, a musician, Doty plays in several bands; Tallgrass Express String Band, Fiddler’s Dream, and Bodarc an old-timey duo focused on unique traditional music of Kansas and the Midwest. Derrick is the 2023 Kansas State banjo champion and teaches traditional banjo, fiddle, and other stringed instruments.
Doors open at 9:30am
Non-Member Admission Fee – $2 (Annual Memberships available starting at $25- Learn more at: Memberships)
Refreshments provided by the “Friends of the Historical Museum” (served prior to program).
Program starts at 10am in the DeVore Auditorium (2nd Floor) – Tour to follow at 11am
(Due to capacity restrictions, program has limited seating of 60.)
“Kansas Music History” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Speakers Bureau, featuring humanities-based presentations designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
Don’t miss any of our upcoming Senior Wednesdays in 2025!
May 28th – The Wizard Behind Oz
June 25th –
July 23rd –
August 27th –
September 24th – Women in Wichita Radio
October 22nd – Museum Docents Present Their Favorites