Author Adrian Zink to Discuss Hidden History of Kansas

Kansas City (MO)…On Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m., the National Archives will host author Adrian Zink who will discuss his book Hidden History of Kansas. A free light reception will precede the program at 6:00 p.m.

Kansas' storied past is filled with fascinating firsts, humorous coincidences and intriguing characters. A man who had survived a murderous proslavery massacre in 1858 hanged his would-be executioner five years later. A wealthy Frenchman utilized his utopian ideals to create an award-winning silk-producing commune in Franklin County. A young boy's amputated arm led to the rise of Sprint Corporation. The first victim of the doomed Donner Party met her end in Kansas. In 1947, a housewife in Johnson County, indignant at the poor condition of the local school for black children, sparked school desegregation nationwide. Author and historian Zink digs deep into the Sunflower State's history to reveal these hidden and overlooked stories.

Copies of Zink’s book will be available for purchase and signing. Requests for ADA accommodations must be submitted five business days prior to events. Reservations are requested for this free program, rsvp to 816-268-8010 or kansascity.educate@nara.gov.

About the Speaker:

Adrian Zink is a native Kansan who has worked in the history profession for over fifteen years at a variety of museums, universities, archives and historic sites. Born and raised in Larned, Kansas, he holds bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from the University of Kansas, a master’s of library science from the University of Maryland and a master’s in history from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He currently works at the National Archives in Kansas City. He has previously worked at the Kansas State Historical Society, UW–Milwaukee Archives, the National Press Club Library and Archives in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum. Adrian and his wife, Toni, have two children and live in Overland Park, Kansas. 

The National Archives at Kansas City is home to historical records dating from the 1820s to the 1990s created or received by Federal agencies in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For more information, call 816-268-8000 or visit www.archives.gov/kansas-city/.    

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LPM/LE – KC18-09