FYI... I'm prepping for the trip to Council Grove, Kansas so this will be my last post until after the event. I just looked at the expected weather for our time there on September 19-20. It's forecasted to be absolutely BEAUTIFULwith afternoon high temps only climbing to the upper 70s to low 80s. It'll be in the 60s and 70s during the mornings. WOW!!! What a PERFECT fall-like setting for an extraordinary look back at the wheels of the American West. You won't want to miss this incredible time as we unpack ways to go beyond the surface and actually 'see' the history inside these rare vehicles. No two are the same and with tens of thousands of makers over a two hundred year history, there's a lot to cover!
From design and construction features to the physical demands of different parts of the country, there are many elements that help identify brands, timeframes of manufacture, and a vehicle's heritage.
As of this posting, we're just a few days from the immersive wagon experience at Council Grove. If you've ever wanted to know more about a particular set of wheels, even if it's your own, it's not too late to bring that rolling history book and learn more about it as well.
Likewise, this will be an intriguing spectator event with plenty of details not found on the internet. Combined with a world of hands-on learning, it's a safe bet that you'll be taking home an even greater appreciation for the wheels that built the American frontier.
A while back, I shared some topics we'll try to cover as we go through different vehicles at the event. Among the things we'll cover will be...
- Collecting 101 - What Should I Know?
- Rumors, Hearsay, Opinions, & Guesswork
- Wagon Parts & Purposes - What Do You See?
- How To Evaluate Period Wagons & WesternVehicles - Identification, dating, & more.
- How Much Do You Really "Know" About Your Wagon
- Q/A sessions
Also at the gathering will be National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association President, Jeff McManus. He'll be conducting a number of blacksmithing seminars. Along with Jeff, Don Werner of Werner Wagon Works in Horton, Kansas will be sharing wheelwrighting and wagon making details. I know Jeff and Don and can tell you that both of these demonstrations will be GREAT opportunities to watch and learn. There are numerous other activities associated with this getaway. It's all in conjunction with the Santa Fe Trail Association, KAW Mission, and National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association activities.
This multi-day encounter promises to be one to remember with firsthand experiences you won't soon forget. Plus, all of the presenters will be available for one-on-one questions and discussions. No A-I, search engine frustrations, or misleading assumptions - just a world of real history, in-depth information, experience, and stories from the Old West.
It's always interesting to view diverse collections showcasing the vehicles of yesterday. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the pieces at Council Grove, Kansas from Sept 19-20, 2025.
From networking with others to discovering details you may never have imagined, this will be an event unlike most gatherings. In fact, if you were there four years ago, you saw the shared strength of this get-together.This special weekend with the wagons will offer even more insights into identification, originality, features, dating, design, and the power of provenance.
If you need more info, Mark Brooks and his team at Kaw Mission can be reached at...
Mark Brooks
Kaw Mission
500 North Mission
Council Grove, Kansas 66846
620-307-2754
Email: mark.brooks@ks.gov
If you've been holding off on your plans, I'd encourage you to not wait any longer. Get ready, load up, and head out to what promises to be a great time of exploring America's wood-wheeled history firsthand. I'm looking forward to seeing you (and some great early vehicles) at this rendezvous!
And... just one more reminder... if you haven't signed up to be notified every time we launch a new blog, article, vehicle, or other detail on our website, it's easy. Just click on the link in the upper right of the site and leave your email address. We'll take care of the rest. See you soon!
David
Psalm 20:7