Lecompton

Today we visited Lecompton, Kansas. This is the Constitutional Hall, the oldest wooden building in Kansas and with a fascinating history. Lecompton was the first capital of Kansas and the seeds of the American Civil War were sown 161 years ago today in the upper floor of this building when the Lecompton Constitution was signed legalising slavery in the State. The largely anti-slavery residents of Kansas opposed the Constitution and there followed a period of several years of civilian protest between the pro- and anti-slavery groups before events led to the start of the Civil War.

After cold and bright days today it has been snowing all day; not settling yet but the forecast is for about an inch to lie overnight. This evening is our purpose for coming here; a reception at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library at Kansas University where W worked for three years in the 1980's, to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the library.