Chet’s Place at Waudby’s Loundge: 713 N Main St, Russell, KS.

Pre-registration required. Register at Field School Headquarters.

Paige Bump will be giving a summary of this year’s KATP, highlighting results from both field and laboratory efforts. This will be accompanied by a taco bar dinner.

Field School Headquarters: 400 N. Elm, Russell, KS.

Introduced by Pauline Hintz

Walker Army Airfield rest silent today but in the early 1940s it was critical to the success of the United States forces during World War II. Here the “Battle of Kansas” was fought - a massive technological and logistical operation to prepare the B29 Superfortress and its crews for combat. The 1945 crash of flight 294 has been the subject of survey investigations during this year’s KATP. Steven Walker will share his research about the airfield and display artifacts related to the site.

Field School Headquarters: 400 N. Elm, Russell, KS.

Introduced by Pauline Hintz

Long before the arrival of Euro-Americans, native inhabitants of what is now Kansas left their mark on the land: carvings in the soft orange and red sandstone of the state’s Smoky Hills. Though noted by early settlers, these are little known and rarely seen today. Rex Buchanan explains the stories that these carvings tell of the region’s first people and their relationship to the land. They are an important feature of Kansas history and its landscape that is increasingly threatened by erosion and vandalism.

Field School Headquarters: 400 N. Elm, Russell, KS.

Introduced by Pauline Hintz

Western Kansas’ rich history extends well beyond the days of trails and forts - back to a prehistoric time when flying Pteranodons and incredible marine reptiles filled the skies and seas before eventually being preserved in the chalk formations of the region. Through his work in the Sternberg Fossil Prep Lab, Ian Trevethan finds the clues that tell us about the life and death millions of years ago. His work has led him to uncover the history of Kansas paleontology and the story of the early naturalists on the Plains.

1472 U.S. Highway 183 Alt., Hays, KS.

Introduced by Paige Bump

Site administrator Adam Conkey will provide an evening tour at historic Fort Hays. Established in 1865 in near modern day Hays, KS, the fort protected European travelers on the Smoky Hill Trail. Its rich history is associated with familiar names from western history such as Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan, Lt. Col. George Custer, William (Buffalo Bill) Cody, and James (Wild Bill) Hickok.

820 N. Main, Russel, KS.

Introduced by Rose Marie Wallen & Virginia Wulfkuhle

Enriching and strengthening the cultural life of the Russell area, the mission of the Deines (pronounced: DIE-ness) Cultural Center is to develop and foster an understanding of, participation in, and appreciation for the visual and performing arts. Its permanent collection includes works by Ernest Hubert Deines, an iconic American printmaker, and Birger Sandzen, a renowned western landscape artist. A photography and printmaking show by Mike Alexanko and Shelly Beach is also on display.

8:30 Registration

9:00 Business meeting with elections

Break: Refreshments provided

To follow: KATP 2026 Paige Bump

To follow: KATP 2025 Laura Murphy

Lunch on your own.

After lunch tours.