LecomptonKS

2025 Bleeding Kansas Program Series

2025 Bleeding Kansas Program Series

Each year starting on the last Sunday in January at 2 pm,  the Bleeding Kansas program series begins at Constitution Hall in Lecompton Kansas.  The programs are a series of talks and dramatic interpretations over the issue of slavery in Kansas and the nation from 1854...

“Christmas Through the Ages 2024”

“Christmas Through the Ages 2024”

Once again, the “Christmas Through the Ages” Christmas tree display will be at the Territorial Capital Museum in Historic Lecompton, Kansas. Over 240 Christmas trees will be decorated in Victorian, antique, themed and vintage ornaments and accessories. In...

The Tale of Two Buttons

The Tale of Two Buttons

Between 1854 and 1857, the Lecompton area was a hive of activity as pro-slavery Southerners arrived with the goal of expanding slavery to the new Kansas Territory.  While many Southerners came to establish homes, others had little intent on settling in the territory...

Before the Civil War, a Kansas Town Had Nationwide Sway

Before the Civil War, a Kansas Town Had Nationwide Sway

The Lecompton Constitution would have made Kansas a slave state and was intensely debated across the US. The anti- Lecompton sentiment strongly opposed slavery for the future state of Kansas. In 1858, Garnet B Adrian of New Jersey ran as the People’s “Anti-Lecompton” Democratic candidate for Congress. He won the election. Seven other Anti-Lecompton Congressmen from New Jersey, New York, Indiana and Pennsylvania: John G. Davis (Ind.), Jeter R. Riggs (NJ), Horace Clark (NY), John H Reynolds (NY), John Haskin (NY), John Hickman (PA), and John Swartz (PA) voted against the Lecompton Constitution. The Anti- Lecompton ballot of New Jersey included candidates for assembly, sheriff and three candidates for coroner. The actual ballot is now on display at the Territorial Capital Museum.

2023 Bleeding Kansas Program Series

2023 Bleeding Kansas Program Series

The Bleeding Kansas Program Series for 2023 will begin on January 29 with new programs every Sunday through March 5th.  Programs begin promptly at 2 pm. The programs will be held at The Constitution Hall State Historic Site located in downtown, Lecompton, 319 Elmore...