Onaga Heritage Day Success!

With the great weather on October 18, 2025, the 19 th Annual Heritage Day at the
Onaga Historical Society Museum was an enjoyable event for all attending. With a wide
range of presenters, the visitors to the event, found many things of historical interest to
enjoy and interact with. Throughout the day, people enjoyed Bluegrass music by the
Bonjour Connection. Keynote speaker, Bill McFarland, presented on the 8 th Kansas
Infantry. His presentation coincided well with the talk Rosie Bosse gave on her Civil
War research for her current series of books.

A host of other presenters or exhibitors included Brian Palmaterr with floor loom
weaving, Rebecca Snavely with spinning thread, “Vintage Hats Photo Op” with Robin
Kolterman, Zabel Collin talked of his trip to Japan, Pottawatomie County Undersheriff
Eric Coleman, Lee Steinmeyer with information of furs and trapping, Shawn Dice with
his pulley system rigged to test your strength as well as making ropes and tying knots,
Marge Haynie with walnut cracking, butter churning with Gretchen Kopp, Michelle
Campbell promoted the repurposing of the Courthouse, Steve Suther with wine-making
techniques, and authors Rosie Bosse and Isabelle Doehass shared their books.

Heritage Day would not be complete without the needlecrafters, which was how the
original Heritage Day began, with a day of “needles” among friends. Needlecrafters this
year included Rheva Boswell, Dea Graf, Kathy Blair, and June Walshire.

On display was “How Grandma Made Soap”, Ross Manuel’s carriage, along with
several farm vehicles, Master Gardens, and Apple Crunch off complete with free apples.
Children enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt throughout the grounds. Concessions were
available from Hannah Belle’s Catering. The Coffee Barn provided coffee for the
presenters.

Winners of this year’s drawing were Jan Kufahl, Sarah McKinsey, and Diana Brunkow.

Given the amount of work by many volunteers that goes into creating such an event, it
would be wonderful if more people would take the time to attend events the Onaga
Historical Society provides for the community free of charge.