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WELCOME to "Kansas of Olde." We hope this site serves as a virtual coffee shop where those of us who own properties listed on the State or National Historic Registers can congregate and collaborate. Please feel free to drop by any time...and often. 
Kansas 150 Kansas will commemorate 150 years of statehood January 29, 2011.
National Preservation Month, May 2010, “Old is the New Green”
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| For those of us who preserve and restore historic properties, this site will feature: Photos, Tips and oops, News, Info on legislation- Preservation Education NEW PAGE!
- Era-authentic Gardens, etc NEW PAGE!
Resources, special offers ! Alerts and advance notice
Do you what to be one of the first notified of updates, special offers, time-sensitive notices, etc.? Click here to SUBSCRIBE! It's free. Check the box at the bottom to receive our newsletter. There isn't one, but we do send quick emails. :) The more subscribers we have, the more helpful we can be. Know others who own properties listed on the registers? Send them to this site or have them contact subscriberservices@kansasofolde.com
Little Bluestem, the official grass of KS Going Native, Little Bluestem HB 2649 Last week the H B2649 was debated on the House Floor. The amendments to substitute other grasses were defeated and the bill passed by a significant majority. Background: Owners of historic properties often express interest in legacy gardens, era-authentic landscaping, plants with low-care and low-water requirements. Recommendations from experts invariably include using native plants. One endeavor to promote native plants in Kansas is to have the Little Bluestem named the official state grass. The Kansas Native Plant Society (KNPS) has been helping with this initiative started in 2006 by a high school class to have The Little Bluegrass named the official state grass. HB 2649, if passed, would do just that. Promoters of the bill stress that Kansas is primarily a prairie state dominated by native grasses. The Little Bluegrass is found in every county in Kansas, unlike buffalo grass or other native plants. As an icon, it would accentuate the image of Kansas as the state is promoted to potential tourists. Naming it the state grass would also help teach the school children of Kansas, citizens, and visitors about the prairie ecosystem and the role native grasses play in the state's economy and the preservation of our diminishing native prairies. Nancy Goulden and Jeff Hanson, as co-chairs for the KNPS subcommittee, invite anyone interested in supporting this endeavor to attend the Federal and State Affairs committee hearing on HB 2649 on February 24, 1:30 p.m. in room 346S (Old Supreme Court Room) at the Capitol in Topeka.
Spring / Fall Topics:   
Plants for Historic Authenticity Historic properties honor their history inside and out. Check back often and watch this topic bloom...If you would like to contribute expertise, contact newseditor@kansasofolde.com If your property was built early in our state’s history, it is likely that much of its informal landscape and gardens were a result of artfully placed native plants watered by methods described in this article. Authenticity begins with Mother Nature’s own selections. For research, go to the Kansas Native Plant Society http://www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org by Angela Beavers As Spring approaches, the urge to get out and plant flowers, grass, trees and shrubs seems to come to mind more often than seed catalogues show up in your mailbox. When making the decision about what to plant and where to plant it, why not try including native plants in your landscape. Native plants have adapted to survive the hot, often dry summers of Kansas and will thrive with very little pampering. Species such as (more) Three Quick Tips for Legacy Gardens By June Schnittker 1) Think about the "structure" of the garden first. What are the important elements that I need to include to not only have an historic garden but also a functional one? 2) Use "age appropriate" plant materials. The newest varieties aren't necessarily the best for your historic home. 3) Research building materials also. (An aged brick will feel better on your patio than a new multicolored paver.) June Scnittker owns Master Landscape Inc Manhattan, Ks.
Her office is in an historic home built in 1890. See also Landscape Preservation Seminar: Topeka, May 19-20 Last Week To Register! on our Education Preservation page.
How to Build a Twig Trellis
By: Karen Bussolini, This Old House magazine Ever since colonial-era homesteaders wove wattle garden structures from unbranched shoots of willow or hazel and set their peas to clamber over rows of tiny-twigged birch limbs, countless generations have used sticks to prop up their plants. Today, homeowners who want to combine beauty and utility can do the same..... Read it here: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20296527,00.html?xid=ygnewsletter-100311-twig-trellis
 FIVE FIRE PREVENTION ESSENTIALS Increase the radius of lawn, preferably fescue, around your home
Clear out any cedar trees nearby Mow tall grass and keep branches and debris cleaned up Help your neighbors with controlled burns. Read John Henry's article, below.
ALERT. . . Fire Season: Yes, 'tis the season for grassfires, range burning, CRP controlled burns, etc. Historic properties, especially those in rural areas, face unique challenges when it comes to fire prevention, water storage, and access. Please share your tips by emailing them to newseditor@kansasofolde.com. Site for seeing where the fires are:
One Community Celebrates Fire Season with a Prairie Fire Festival
Fire Prevention and Precautions (Excerpted from PRESCRIBED BURNING VS. RURAL DEVELOPMENT) By John W. Henry Why do ranchers burn? Understanding the history of the area is essential to understanding why. Most grasslands have developed with fire being the major determining factor in plant community. Fires favor grasslands and grasslands favor fire. It is believed that all major grasslands burned frequently. Burning along with grazing by herbivores shaped the grassland community. Lightning was likely the primary cause of fires prior to mans occupation. Primitive man set fires for different reasons. One was (click here to read more)
| | Editor's note. The connection between Historic Preservaton and H.R.3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act, (CLEAR Act) is that the Historic Preservation Fund receives revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases. The Historic Preservation Fund hasn’t received full funding since its inception in 1974. National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) Asks Voters to Contact Congress Passage of HR 3534 could fully fund the NTHP. The vote is expected by Friday (1/30/2010). Read notice from NTHP on our News Page
UPDATE (7/31/2010) Passed the House 209-193 on Friday, 7/30/2010, at 6:23p.m. Kansas representativs: Moore voted yes. Jenkins voted no. Moran and Thiahrt did not vote. See http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll513.xml The bill will move on to the Senate. UPDATE (8/5/2010) NTHP asks supporters to: 1) Thank their Representatives for their support of the CLEAR Act,if they voted in favor of it, and let them know how their support of the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) will help their community and their organization. And
2) Work the Senate: The Senate is in session for one more week, during which time, they may vote on their version of an energy bill that unfortunately does not include full funding for the HPF. Let Senators know how the HPF benefits their State and ask that the HPF be included in the Senate energy bill. As always, providing case studies and examples of how this will benefit your community can help make the case more compelling.
UPDATE (8/6/2010) The Senate has decided to postpone consideration of this Act until September. Further updates: http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekly-bulletin/Public-Policy-Weekly-Bulletin-2-1-1-2-1-1-1.html.
At Your Request Visit our "Library and Shop" page for books, CDs, DVDs, software, and other items chosen by and for our subscribers. (Click button at left.)
While US Lawmakers Make Sausage, Kansas Lawmakers Quietly Make Quiche! The 2010 Kansas Legislative Session, Thus far… Kansas of Olde has been following bills of interest and great importance to our subscribers. Much more detailed information is located on our (See background on issues.) Here’s a brief update: HB 2083, which would eliminate the Environs Review process, fortunately did not advance out of committee from last year’s session.
SB 430, which included wording from HB 2496, eliminates the unintended consequences of the cap placed on rehabilitation tax credits in last year’s session: PASSED and SIGNED by the Governor
HB 2445 maintains local control of descisions regarding land use and properties near military installations: PASSED and SIGNED by the Governor
HB 2649 designates Little Bluestem as the official state grass: PASSED and SIGNED by the Governor Kansas of Olde emails E-Alerts to subscribers depending on the importance and urgency of the info. If you are not a subscriber, click here to sign up. It's free. Major New Report Just Out! Rutgers University Study Illustrates Federal Historic Tax Credits' Ability to Create Jobs, and Stimulate the Economy
Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2010) –
A comprehensive new report conducted by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, analyzes the economic impact of the federal Historic Tax Credit since its inception in 1976 and concludes that the Historic Tax Credit is a highly efficient job creator—accounting for the creation of 1.8 million new jobs over the life of the program. The report
Emporia Ks Main Street Study This study, done by Casey Woods,Executive Director of Emporia Main Street, documents growth of jobs and economic development resulting from historic properties using tax credits. From data gleaned from several data-rich Main Streets around Kansas, the study found: On average, following a historic tax credit project, building rehabs and new construction in a downtown soared 24% Dollars spent on reheb and new construction in downtowns increased 157% following a historic tax credit project. Despite job losses nationwide, downtowns studied realized a net job gain of 31% in the past two years.
Do you care about historic preservation? Our politicians are not mind readers. If you don't say it, they won't know it !
A State Budget Cut that Would Benefit Ecological Resources in Kansas ---- Audubon of Kansas ...This is a great time to eliminate excessive -- often ecologically destructive -- mowing along state highways and the Kansas Turnpike, and to adopt the limited mowing practices recommended by a broad base of conservation organizations.
Filter This First Through Your Historic Guidelines, Then Save Some Big Bucks The Household Weatherization Program has additional money available for the current 2009-2010 program year. Eligibility for the Weatherization Program is based solely on income; however, the maximum income limits have been increased. To view the new income limits or to read more about the program, click here. For a pdf downloadable application, click here.
More info about the program and contact info for all areas of Kansas: Weatherization/wxbrochure09.pdf
Historic Buildings Would be Eligible for a 20% Boost in Energy-saving Awards The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) has asked citizens to contact their legislators by to ask for their support of the "American Clean Energy and Security Act." (HR 2454, See below.) On Friday, the House narrowly passed the legislation 219-212. Before it can become law it must make it through the Senate where it is expected to meet even stronger opposition. In its press release, the NTHP praised the passage of the legislation in the House, especially because homeowners and businesses would be provided financial incentives for weatherization under a new Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) (more) Kansas Members of Congress voted: Rep Jerry Moran (R-Ks 1st Dist) NO
Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Ks 2nd Dist) NO
Rep. Dennis Moore (D-K. 3rd Dist) YES
Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-K. 4th Dist) NO
 Roadside Photo Courtesy of Kathy Tidwell Counties Can Cut Costs While Improving Roadsides with Wildflowers and Grasses
Submitted by Kathy Tidwell It’s almost time to mow again and time to rethink where and how often we mow.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) began a new policy in 2008 that saves time, saves money, makes roadsides interesting again, improves wildlife habitat, and is great for the environment. Perhaps those who have turned roadside ditches in rural areas of Kansas counties into extensions of their yards would like to do the same with some rethinking and encouragement. Who of us wouldn’t like to save time and money, especially since all we have to do is stop mowing.
Beautiful and unique grasses and native flowers of our Flinthills area would be allowed to show off. People visit the Flinthills especially to see our native wildflowers, grasses, wildlife and birds. Let’s encourage that by letting the sunflowers, goldenrod, pitchers sage, gayfeathers, and especially the butterfly milkweed show off their blooms.
Butterflies, birds, and bees would all be more plentiful. And we do need to assist those pollinators or none of us will be eating.
The grasses act as snow fences so we would see less drifted over in places. KDOT is hopeful that less snow on roads may increase safety, visibility, and lower maintenance costs.
KDOT is mowing roadways less to save money in tight budget times and to increase habitat for wildlife. In the past, roadsides were mowed from pavement to fence. Now only shoulders and intersections are mowed. The policy does not extend to counties, so let county commissioners know how to save money and improve habitat at the same time.
Other states plant flowers along roadsides; Kansas has unique grasses and beautiful native plants (remember buttercups, compass plants?). Give plants a chance. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Kathy Tidwell and her husband are retired educators (ESU). They live on the Cottonwood River between Emporia and Neosho Rapids where they have planted many trees, bushes, and restored acres to native grasses and forbes. They have also established a 109 acre wetlands near Colony, Ks.
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