Abilene Public Library will host “Vegetopia: The Kansas Colony Way Ahead of Its Time,” a presentation and discussion by Diane Eickhoff on Saturday, July 20 at 11:00 am.  Members of the community are invited to attend the free program.

In 1856 a band of pilgrims, led by the eccentric Henry Clubb, set out to establish “heaven on earth” in Kansas. Even more controversial than their abolitionist stance was their new way of eating, a meatless vegetable diet. This presentation will explore the uniquely American tradition of utopian thinking and the practicality of chasing dreams.

Diane Eickhoff is an independent historian, writer, and editor of education materials. Her most recent historical biography, Clarina Nichols: Frontier Crusader for Women’s Rights, is published by Quindaro Press.

“Vegetopia: The Kansas Colony Way Ahead of Its Time” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 Every Tuesday during June and July we will show a documentary film.  Starts at Noon, and lasts just under one hour.  Bring your sack lunch.  Free and open to the public.

June 4 – Roses: Queen of Flowers –  This flower has been a favorite for thousands of years

June 11 – Magic Lakes  Welcome to the Mecklenburg lake district that houses around 2000 lakes

June 18 – Living Volcanoes – Discover how volcanoes also nurture and create life

June 25 – Chasing the Wind (Equus: Story of the Horse) – Humans have interacted with horses over the years, creating numerous breeds

July 2 –  Seasons of the Sea  – Visit the  creatures of the Pacific Ocean

July 9 – Operation: Lift Off  (NASA, A Journey Through Space) The United States in the space race

July 16 – Shooting for the Moon  (NASA, A Journey Through Space) –  JFK lays out the space race goal – man on the moon

July 23 – – The Apollo Missions  (NASA, A Journey Through Space) – The Apollo Missions culminating in the Moon landing

July 30  – Kingdom of the Forest   Explore Europe’s primeval forests

Summer Reading is here!   

Sign up your child in the Children’s Department to receive all the details!  There will be prizes to win, and lots of opportunities of story times and events to attend!

Adults may also sign up in the adult library.

Coloring and Crafts is a program for adults to gather and work on their craft projects in a relaxing community atmosphere. Bring your coloring books, knitting, needlework, crocheting, arts and craft projects to work on.

We will provide coloring pages, color pencils, pens, markers, and also supplies for rock painting.

We meet on the first and third Thursday of the month, come and go from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

This event is free and open to the public.

Summer Schedule:

May 2,   May 16 

July 18

June 6,  June 20

We are now on Instagram!  Follow us there and on Twitter as @aplkansas