The Finney County Historical Museum has opened a new short-term exhibit in the Front Door Gallery, featuring more than 30 images from the new coffee table book by local author Brett Marshall, “Life and Times of the Buffaloes.” The photographs about Garden City High School’s history are accompanied by a small collection of artifacts.
The book, published by Unified School District 457, was released last September with 12 chapters outlining the development of public education in the community, dating as far back as the 1880s and concluding with GCHS highlights of 2023.
Graphic design was handled by Josh Harbour. Much of the research and most early-day photographs came from the museum’s archives.
The author calls the volume “a big picture of how successful GCHS has been…and the impact it has had on the greater community.”
The display is arranged in chapter-by-chapter order, with two to four photos from each of the 12 sections. One of the earliest images shows a posed group photo of the senior class of 1892, including five young women and nine young men, while one of the most recent features 2023 GCHS commencement speaker Anna Lobmeyer addressing the class. In between, viewers will encounter various additional individuals, buildings, and activities.
Some artifacts are from the museum’s collection, with others loaned by USD 457 and Mike Wade of Traditions Soda and Sandwich Shop. They range from original Clifford Hope Auditorium seats to one of the trophy hatchets from the annual Garden City-Dodge City “Hatchet Game” football match-up.
Admission is free and viewing hours are 1-5 p.m. daily. The Front Door Gallery is located just inside the museum’s main entrance at 403 S. Fourth Street in Garden City’s Finnup Park, adjacent to the pedestrian arches at Lee Richardson Zoo. All other museum displays are accessible simultaneously and the gift shop is open the same hours. Front Door Gallery exhibits are supported by the Steve Stone Memorial Fund.
The display will remain in place up to three months and visitors will be able to purchase copies of the new book in the adjacent museum gift shop at $39.95 plus tax, with proceeds benefitting GCHS. In addition, the gift shop is offering a 2024 wall calendar, also featuring historic GCHS images and available for $15 plus tax. The book will also soon go on sale at various other locations in Garden City.
