Western Academy Series on ‘History at the Mission’

In 1848, The Western Academy was started at the Shawnee Indian Mission. Reverend Nathan Scarritt oversaw the department, which was a college prep program for both Native American and white students in the area. Both young men and women were admitted into the program and while white students from both the Territory and Missouri paid a tuition for coursework and room and board, Native American students were admitted to the program tuition-free. This program series will have local experts present programs on various aspects of the Mission’s history, as it relates to other aspects of greater Kansas City history.

Pre-registration is not required. Free to the community.

September 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Gary Hicks, President of the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association will explore the topic of the development of the trails west and their growth and impact on the location and interactions with the Mission.

October 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Kristen Zane, member of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas will present The Wyandot Nation—Ohio to Kansas. She will discuss the relationship between the Methodist Church and the Wyandot, the move west to Kansas, Quindaro and the underground railroad and Wyandot children at the Mission.

November 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Diane Euston, Kansas City Historian, Educator and Westport Historical Society Board Member will present on various connections between Westport and the Shawnee Indian Mission, highlighting the enslaved of both areas during the time of the Border Wars.

The Western Academy is free and pre-registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you and learning more about the activities at the Mission.