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

Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony

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

1. Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony Marker

Inscription.
The Ad Astra sculpture on the Capitol dome was dedicated on Monday, November 4, 2002.

The ceremony began with the blessing of the sculpture by Badger Wahwassuck of the Potawatomi Nation. Anna Bergen-Kamerer, granddaughter of the sculptor, followed with a narrative entitled "Ad Astra Per Aspera." Richard Bergen, the sculptor, presented the sculpture, and Governor Bill Graves gave a speech of acceptance. Luther Pepper of the Kaw Nation then gave greetings from the Kaw Nation. The ceremony's closing was provided by Brad Hamilton, Director of the Kansas Office of Native American Affairs.

Erected by Morrison Foundation Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is November 4, 1844.

Location. 39° 2.863′ N, 95° 40.751′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Southwest 10th Avenue. 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 Ave, Topeka KS 66612, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Capitol Building (here, next to this marker); The Governor's Plaque

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(here, next to this marker); Kansas Children (here, next to this marker); The Kansa Tribe (here, next to this marker); Kansas History (here, next to this marker); "Ad Astra" (here, next to this marker); "To the Stars Through Difficulties": A Chronicle (here, next to this marker); Removal to Indian Territory (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topeka.

Also see . . .
1. Ad Astra Sculpture. (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Kansas State Capitol - Architecture. Kansapedia entry (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

3. The Ad Astra Figure Representing Kansas. Display/ced Natives entry (Submitted on December 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

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

2. Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony Marker

Kansas Capitol steps in background

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2015

3. Ad Astra

Ad Astra located at the top of the Kansas State Capitol.

Kansas State Capitol image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2015

4. Kansas State Capitol

Ad Astra is located at the very top of the capitol building.

Kansas State Capitol Dome image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2015

5. Kansas State Capitol Dome

Ad Astra is situated at the top of the dome.

Kansas Historical Society, Unknown

6. "Ad Astra"

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,021 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6. submitted on December 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.