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Crossroads of Conflict |Contested Visions of Freedom & The Missouri-Kansas Border Wars

Evaluations of Past Workshops

All people involved in the leadership of this workshop were excellent!  They were professional, helpful, interesting, informative—just absolutely fantastic! The group was one of the best I have encountered in similar environments; very focused …and at the same time, friendly and fun….I do believe all questions were answered, and folks were given a chance to share insights.

I am more knowledgeable about Kansas and Missouri because I was actually in these places.  I crossed over the borderline. I was in Lawrence, Kansas and Lecompton, Kansas. I visited the Watkins “estate” and Woolen Mill, Jesse James’ farm, the Shawnee Mission and the Wornall House. The past was brought to life through these visits. In a way, I met the characters of the past, not only through these visits; but through visiting the Westport Battlefield and the cemetery; and through the presentations by scholars. Having had these experiences will help me enrich lessons and activities with students.

I leave this workshop with a wealth of ideas to bring to my teaching from the rich content of the border wars as a way of looking at the Civil War to using material culture as a way to study the past. It was an incredible week of great experiences.

The content gained from this experience has really strengthened my knowledge of 19^th century United States History. When I began to cover the era of History I will feel more prepared to handle the topics associated with this workshop.

I found the workshop to be extremely interesting and informative. The readings were excellent and the speakers more than met my expectations. I have information, perspectives and teaching ideas that I can take back to my classroom and use this year.

The impact of events in Kansas/Missouri in the years preceding the outbreak of the Civil War are seen by many as the “tipping point” for secession. I have, through this study, come to realize the depth of animosity that had developed between those who supported slavery and those who opposed it.

This was a well-run workshop. The directors were organized and helpful, and the faculty was informative ….a nice balance with classroom learning, field trips, movies and free time. I believe there was something for every attendee to take home.

June 27 to July 2, 2010
July 11 to July 16, 2010

Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities