Topeka in Shawnee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kansas Children

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011

1. Kansas Children Marker

Inscription.
In 1988, elementary school children of Kansas submitted to the Kansas Arts Commission drawings they thought would be the best idea for a sculpture to top the Capitol dome. Sunflowers, eagles, meadowlarks, farmers, cottonwood trees, wheat shocks, and Native Americans were represented among other things. Overwhelmingly, the most popular subject was the Native American. Chiefs, braves, and squaws were depicted in various activities. Sculptor Richard Bergen reviewed these children's art works and was convinced by their drawings that he should submit a model of a Kansa brave, named "Ad Astra." This model won the nation-wide competition to select a sculpture for the Capitol dome.

Erected by Ruth Garvey and H. Bernerd Fink.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.

Location. 39° 2.863′ N, 95° 40.751′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. Marker is on the west grounds of the state Capitol, near SW Harrison Street and about 300 feet west of the SW entrance to the Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka KS 66612, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Capitol Building (here, next to this

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marker); Kansas History (here, next to this marker); The Governor's Plaque (here, next to this marker); The Kansa Tribe (here, next to this marker); Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony (here, next to this marker); Pioneer Women of Kansas (a few steps from this marker); Governor Landon's Acceptance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles Curtis (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topeka.

Also see . . .
1. Kansas State Capitol. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Ad Astra Sculpture. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011

2. Kansas Children Marker

Kansas Capitol steps in background

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.