SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Dr. Brewster M Higley wrote a poem titled “My Western Home”  to describe the beauty of the site he had chosen for his Kansas Homestead in 1871. He penned this now-famous work on the bank of the West Beaver Creek in Smith County, Kansas, where along with the help of a few friends, he also constructed a cabin 150 years ago on July 4, 1872.

Dr. Higley presented the poem to his friend Dan Kelly who set it to music and then gave it to John Harlan, the leader of a family band that included Kelly. The song “Home on the Range” was born.

Join us this weekend as we celebrate this historic icon on the plains!

This special weekend will also be a time to honor our nation and those who have served or are serving to protect our freedom.

SATURDAY, JULY 2nd

2:00 p.m. - Higley Reunion, Ingleboro Mansion, Smith Center
2:00 p.m. - Rust Reunion, Srader Center, Smith Center
4:30 p.m. - “Home on the Range” Movie, Center Theatre, Smith Center
7:30 p.m. - Re-enactor Galen Larson, Home on the Range Cabin Site

SUNDAY, JULY 3rd

At USD 237 Smith Center High School
8-9:15 a.m. - Continental Breakfast (first 150) Donation
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Worship Service / Mitch Holthus, speaker
11 a.m. - Noon - 1st Division Army Band Concert, Fort Riley
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Lunch (first 200) Donation
1:30-2 p.m. - CSGM Brian Narducci, Fort Riley / Veteran of 20+ Special Forces Deployments
2:30-4 p.m. - Re-enactor Marla Matkin and Marti Mace, SGT, US Army, RET Armed Forces Master Piper
4:30 p.m. - “Home on the Range” Movie, Center Theatre, Smith Center

MONDAY, JULY 4th

Visit the historic Higley Cabin
Hourly tours available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
7032 90 Road, Athol, KS 66932

For questions, please contact ElDean Holthus at 785-476-5216.

Commemorative T-Shirts available online through Traditions.
Click here to download the order form.

Thank you for your continued interest and support!

We invite you to visit the Home on the Range Cabin Site, which is open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset. There is no admission charge.