A small country town, just an hour’s drive from the metropolis of Kansas City, has a stunning tale that even most locals don’t know about. I discovered the story as I was poking around Baldwin City Kansas, and was leisurely roaming the campus of Baker University. The University itself is historic – having been built in 1858. I entered the Quayle Museum on campus, and began examining the antiquities on display. There is a 13th century illuminated manuscript, a leaf from a 1456 Gutenberg Bible, and some artifacts dating back to 2000 BCE. How does a tiny town in Kansas have Smithsonian-value treasures??! I was floored. How did I live so close to such hallowed relics, and be wholly unaware of it? Then one of the museum staff members, offhandedly, said to me – “go visit the chapel”. I shrugged and hesitated. He turned, looked me fully in the eyes, and pointedly said it again. So, I went in search of it.
I readily found the Osborne Memorial Chapel, and pushed open its heavy doors. It was quiet inside. Hard wood pews. Stained glass windows. A typical old church. I didn’t initially see what was so special about it. But then I spotted a door just behind the lectern. I walked down the aisle, skirted the platform, and entered the sparse room in the back. Still I saw nothing that warranted the staff member’s intense suggestion. Just before I turned to leave, I noticed the unassuming photographs on the wall. I stepped closer and drew in a sharp breath. In the very space where I was standing, I saw that the former Prime Minister of England, Margaret Thatcher, had once been! I scoured the walls for more information. I saw clippings and letters tacked up. A story emerged that was utterly astounding. The chapel had been built in Sproxton, England in 1864. Many years later, the congregation declined, and soon the building was abandoned. However, one day in the 1990’s, members of Baker University randomly happened upon it, and decided to buy it for their campus. It was carefully dismantled, stone by stone. A schematic graph was drawn and each stone individually labeled. It was shipped over and scrupulously reassembled. That whole procedure alone is mind-blowing. Why didn’t they just take a picture of it and have it replicated here? And how did Margaret Thatcher factor into all of this? Well, surprisingly, Baroness Thatcher’s father was a circuit pastor in the 1800’s and had preached often in that church. So, Baker University invited her to come speak at the dedication service. And she accepted! The former Prime Minister of England flew all the way to Kansas City and drove down long, slow country roads just to attend the consecration of a little old building. I was awed by what great honor this building holds.
Again – how did I not know about this HUGE history in my own backyard?! The people in these country towns in the Midwest always astound me with their modest demeanor about the remarkable stories from their past.
After I left the University campus, I popped in and out of the shops on the main road. The Nook Bookstore is especially cool because it serves libations. Nicki and Kelly are the owners and have made it into a fun spot in which to hang out. I bought an instructive book here about — “how men think” (my newest fascination).
The Twill Trade Boutique offers modish attire and jewelry. Follow them on Instagram to view samples of their fashions.
Right next door is a cafe with extra good coffee and meals. I got a veggie wrap and a blended coffee at the Homestead Kitchen & Bakery, and savored the flavors as well as the comfortable ambiance.
Baldwin City has two fun, annual traditions: the Maple Leaf Festival and the Snowglobe Express Christmas train. People in the region really look forward to these celebrations throughout the year. If you come to visit, be sure to stop into the Lumberyard Art Center, where gallery art is displayed, and classes and musical/theatrical performances are presented. Inside the Center is Lucy’s Corner, an artisan’s shop named after the 1889 female town Mayor – Lucy Sullivan. Lucy also had an all female city council, dubbed the “Petticoat Council”. Women in government were exceptionally rare in the 1880’s. So hooray for them!
At the end of my day, I noticed Ski’s 1890’s Barbershop. I went in and sat with “the guys”. They chatted away and I enjoyed the feel of sitting in an authentically-maintained barbershop from 120 years ago. I imagined the town folk back then. And randomly an idea popped into mind. I thought, for my blog, maybe I should get my haircut here…. now. I have only ever had my hair cut in fine salons, so I immediately got antsy and jumped up to exit. But before I got halfway out of the door, I heard Ski say – “can I help you?” I didn’t want to be rude, so I stepped back in and told him my crazy idea. I was hoping he would laugh at it, but instead, he gently smiled and assured me he cuts both men and women’s hair. So, with uncertainty, I interrogated him, and learned he had been an O.R. nurse for 30 years. As I was a surgical nurse in San Diego, I knew he must be precise and meticulous. Plus he hashad decades of experience cutting hair. So, I ” took one for the blog” and slid into the antique barber chair.
I can’t tell you how happy I was with the cut. Ski performed the cut like a surgeon. And now I have bragging rights about getting my hair done in a 1890 barbershop! Not many people can say that nowadays.
Come visit Baldwin City Kansas and enjoy these good people, their entertaining festivities, and the captivating stories from their past.