Washington Chapel Restoration.

06/07/2026

Can someone send me the first and last names, left to right of the people in this photo? Going to use it for my book about the African-American history of Platte County, which includes a section on Banneker. Personal message Barbara Luetke, and thank you.

06/06/2026

What a great night at the jazz festival, the annual benefit for Banneker School and Museum! No rain and lots of great music. Please note the photo with Connie, her daughter, Catherine, and her granddaughter, Sophia. Three generations of the sweetest, most energetic people I’ve ever met! Also, Tracey Steele, 12th District State rep. He deserves your vote!

06/06/2026

FANTASTIC NEWS FOR THE PREDECESSOR OF THE BROWN VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CASE:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GgnxTvzjT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

BIG NEWS!!!!
We are thrilled to announce that the CJ Walker School has officially been listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

This designation recognizes the school's significance not only to our local community, but also to the broader story of civil rights and education in America.

This achievement is the result of countless hours of research, advocacy, and support from many dedicated individuals, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped preserve and share the story of this remarkable place.

Being listed on the National Register is an important milestone, but our work is far from over. We remain committed to preserving the school, sharing its history, and ensuring that future generations can learn from the people who fought for equality and justice right here in our community.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this effort. Today, we celebrate a well-deserved recognition for a truly important piece of Kansas history!

06/06/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY! COME ON DOWN TO THE PARK AT 5 O’CLOCK AND SEE ME AT THE BUY A BRICK BOOTH.

06/05/2026

DO YOU SELL CARPET OR HAVE A CONNECTION? Before the renovation, the stage where the pulpit is, and the aisles between the pews, were carpeted red. See first photo below.
We got an estimate today just for the pulpit and it’s over $1000. Can you help us out? Our first service is June 27 so we were hoping to get at least the pulpit carpeted before then. But in the grand scheme of things, we would like to do about 6 inches in front of the stage, two aisles back to the back of the sanctuary, and carpet from the foyer along the back of the room to the bathroom. This idea is sketched out in red below. Photos show the areas of need. Please message Barbara Luetke if you can help us.

06/04/2026

Got over to the church today to see the remarkable job that some of you did fixing the storage area! Also met the exterminator to help us get rid of mice! And, met with a carpet estimator to gather some information for carpet in the sanctuary. Boy was it hot in there! Please personal message Barbara Luetke if you can help. Probably take an hour or so.
HELP NEEDED: sometime during the week of June 22 I need four or five people to help clean the bathrooms, the sanctuary, run the vacuum up and downstairs, set the tables up for refreshments after our first service on June 27, etc.

ON JUNE 27 BEGINNING ABOUT 2 O’CLOCK: We need two or three people to buy punch for about 100 people and poured into cups, which will also need to be purchased, set them out in the kitchen someplace, and serve people when they come down after the service. We will be busy upstairs so we need self starters for this task. There might be cake to serve as well although we are trying to find others to do that while you do the punch. Please personal message me if you can help out.

06/04/2026

Check out the top left photo for the jazz festival this Saturday, the major fundraiser for Banneker. That’s my family!
Named for an impressive African-American man, the school here in Parkville was once called Banneker school for colored children. People have worked for years to turn the building into a museum. It is now part of a Mellon grant with big dreams for the future. I tell the story of this important landmark in my upcoming book about the African-American history of my county (to be published by Arcadia press in 2027). Lucille Douglass, chair of the Banneker Board, is extremely busy this week with all the last minute challenges of putting on this incredible event. THERE WILL BE TWO OR THREE FOOD TRUCKS! I hope you will come and support it. I will be at the table selling bricks for the buy a brick campaign! Come by and say hi to me from 5 to 6. The festival goes until 9:00.

05/31/2026

What a message!

05/30/2026

Barb Luetke will be working 5 to 6 selling bricks. Please come by and say hi. Please support this in very important Banneker fundraiser and think about how Washington Chapel could host such an annual event.

05/29/2026

Please support our fundraiser: