Lois Starns Memorial Organ

Warren Starns and his family have generously donated a fully restored Victorian-style reed pump organ in memory of Lois Emel Starns. The organ has found its new home in the Lone Star Church on the grounds of Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby, Kansas. Thank you, Starns family, for this wonderful gift.

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Lone Star Church

Victorian-style Loreto Reed Pump Organ in Lone Star Church

Left to Right: Judie Stover Withers - Cousin of Lois Emel Starns, Chris Griffin - Director of Prairie Museum of Art and History, and Dick Rhea - Owner of Rhea Antique Pump Organs

Adler Organ Company located in Lousiville, KY was established in the early 1900's. They made Adler, Loreto, Beckwith, Crown, and some Netzow Milwaukee organs. Their factory expanded to 100,000 square feet and occupied an entire city block. They were shipping out 40 organs a day and were the largest manufacturer in Louisville at the time. Adler Manufacturing was eventually purchased by the Sears & Roebuck Company which continued to sell pianos and organs up until about 1949.

Dick Rhea is the owner of Rhea Antique Pump Organ. He recently purchased a building at 117 N. Main in Sharon Springs for a museum to exhibit his restored organs.
Visit his website at: www.rhea-antique-pump-organs.com

Key Rings and Caps

This awesome "his and hers" collection is on loan to us from Kenton & Sheila Krehbiel of Colby, Kansas. It will be in our lobby exhibit at Prairie Museum of Art & History through March.

In about 1973 Sheila started collecting key rings. The first key ring that caught Sheila Krehbiel’s eye was the Sunflower Savings sunflower logo. After much use the abrasion of keys removed the wording. She picked up another sunflower and vowed to never use it. Other key rings were acquired during travels throughout the United States. Sources include home shows, college and university bookstores, and friends who added to her collection. Sheila is proud to share this extensive collection. She hopes everyone savors a memory of the businesses and their employees represented by these souvenirs.

Kenton’s cap collection took off about fifteen years ago. Like Sheila, he started by purchasing souvenir caps from places they traveled. Being an avid sports fan, Kenton’s special interest is caps collected from events and stadiums or arenas he has visited. He estimates his collection now numbers nearly 250 different caps.

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While visiting the museum to see this exhibit, allow extra time to see the work of artist, Chuck Bonner, which is on display in our Garvey Educational Room. Bonner and his wife Barbara Shelton operate the Keystone Gallery 18 miles south of Oakley, Kansas. The Chuck Bonner exhibit will be up through April 12. There is no admission charged for either of these exhibits.