Burns seeks to preserve 1905 school

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Burns Community Historical Society is taking steps to preserve a 1905 brick building that purportedly was the first consolidated grade school in Kansas. Many town and school artifacts are stored there.

In 1921, a brick junior/senior high school was built. It fell into disrepair after its students were transferred to Peabody in 1965. It has since been torn down.

But the 1905 building still stands. According to Daniel Huls, president of the historical society, townspeople came together to preserve the history of the school and the town.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in it,” Huls said. “We started with zero dollars and needed liability insurance on the building. We’ve instituted a $10 yearly membership.”

T-shirts were donated for sale.

The building needs a lot of work. Huls said strong winds in May broke out windows. Everything is covered with dust except for things stored within glass display cases. Plaster is peeling, and ceiling tiles are in disrepair.

The society has an account balance of $3,800 and is in the process of obtaining new windows and roof. The basement has been secured.