Andover Historical Museum

09/06/2026

Another undated Andover High School activity program. No worries, because our awesome community is always there to fill the gap when we dont know... what year was this program from? Our best guess is late 1960's to early 1970s. And who can explain what the "FACULTY FUNNIES" program was all about?

09/06/2026

We stepped outside this morning to check, and for sure it’s a great day to spread the word about local history!! Help us grow our audience by sharing our page with your friends. Let’s build the together!

09/05/2026

Stop by and visit today! We are currently accepting your generous Andover related artifacts, and showing off our vision boards for the renovation. You can even give us your design ideas! We love chatting about local history and hearing stories of our towns rich past.

09/04/2026

Andover High Senior Class Play 1922

Long before smartphones, selfies and elaborate school theatre productions, Andover High School seniors put on a show of their own. Here they are in 1922, dressed in an assortment of elaborate costumes, hats and period clothing, ready to entertain their community! Only two were identified on the back as seated: Leo Bally and Earl Snooks.

And if we're seeing this photograph correctly, there's an even sweeter detail. - the cast appears to be gathered right on the roof of the school! Perhaps it was the perfect place for a cast photo, or perhaps these seniors simply decided that an ordinary photo wasn't dramatic enough!

09/04/2026

The first day of fall is coming up, so we wanted to give you an excuse to eat pizza and support the museum!! We love giving you a good reason to eat out in Andover, so mark your calendars for our Pizza Hut Give Back Night on September 24! 20% of all Carry out, Delivery and Dine in purchases from 4-8PM go to benefit the mission of the Andover Historical Museum.

09/03/2026

156 HOURS: TWO ANDOVER FRIENDS TAKE ON THE WORLD

In May 1990, two Wichita State University students, Michael Bornholt and Shannon Grate, set out to do something few people would ever consider. For 156 hours, they kept a tennis marathon going at WSU. That's 6 1/2 days of tennis!

WSU student newspaper gave us a glimpse into what those days were like. The two began at 7 AM on a Friday and continued until 7 PM the following Thursday, getting only about nine hours of sleep during the ordeal. Grate won 148 sets during the marathon, while Bornholt won 132. The event also served as a fundraiser for Wichita State's Student Organization of Social Work.

In February 2005, Guinness World Records wrote to Andover's Shannon Grate regarding his 1990 record, which had yet to be recognized publicly. The letter explains that Guinness had changed its policy concerning marathon attempts because of concerns raised by medical experts about participants pushing themselves too hard and potentially damaging their health. Guinness had therefore stopped accepting new attempts of this type and established new guidelines. This change was announced following their submission, which they had abided by all existing guidelines for. The letter tells Grate the old record would no longer be considered a current Guinness World Record under the new rules. But regardless of how the rules later changed, nothing could change what Michael Bornholt and Shannon Grate had already accomplished. At the most impossible point, they kept going, did the work, endured the exhaustion, and crossed the finish line! They earned their place in history, and that part can never be taken away. Its also part of our

We have this certificate in our archives at the Andover Historical Museum. It preserves the moment when two Andover connected young men became world-record holders, while the later letter documents the changing standards surrounding extreme endurance records. Good job fellas! We are still proud of your enormous accomplishment!

Newspaper clipping from Wichita Eagle May 11, 1990.

09/03/2026

FOR SALE:

Set/4 oak spindle back chairs - excellent condition $100

Plymouth Rock Replica $30

GA Heating Stove (early 20th century) $200

(2)wooden/glass Display cases $25 each

09/02/2026

HARD-WORKING HERITAGE, Andover Style!

Ike keller and his threshing crew knew a thing or two about earning a living the hard way. Ike purchased this Case threshing machine in 1906, had it shipped to Andover on the Frisco, and turned it into a thriving threshing business. By 1914, the newspaper calling him a "veteran thresher" and said Ike was "making piles of money" threshing wheat from Andover to Goddard and Wichita.

And Ike wasn't content to stop there. In 1908, he purchased the Dilling Hotel in Andover, which then became Hotel Keller, with his daughter helping run the establishment.

These guys didn't punch a clock - they worked until the work was done. Long days, hot Kansas summers, horses, machinery, dust and determination.

They weren't just harvesting wheat or running a hotel. They were building businesses, raising families and helping build the community we inherited.

09/01/2026

If you’re stopping by Freddy’s for the museum fundraiser, be sure to tell them you are there for the museum so they will apply your purchase to us!

09/01/2026

Hey ladies! Here is a fun networking event this week!!

📣 **Meet the Women’s Symposium Speakers!**

We’re excited to introduce the incredible women taking the stage at our **2026 Women’s Symposium**:

✨ Samar Edenfield, Samar & Associates at Real Broker
✨ Tricia Lee, Andover Historical Museum
✨ Aggie Tuxhorn, Skyward Credit Union
✨ Dr. Daniel, Butler Community College
✨ Marla Canfield, Kansas Department of Commerce

Want a chance to connect with some of our speakers before the Symposium? Join us **this Thursday at Women’s Night Out Happy Hour at Point Nine from 4:00–6:00 p.m.!** 🥂

Many of our speakers plan to join us, making it a great opportunity to meet them, make connections, and get a little preview of the conversations coming October 14.

Come grab a drink, bring a friend, and connect with an amazing group of women!

📅 **Women’s Symposium: October 14 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.**
🎟️ Register: https://bit.ly/26ACWomensSymposium