The Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards wish to invite you to a celebration on June 21st, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the formation of our group and the completion of our 2019 Education Expansion Project.

With your help, the Project has accomplished the following:

• Expanded the Park from 45 to 164 acres by completing the purchase of 125 acres of the former Mitchell farm adjoining the Park on the north.
• The construction of a new main entrance and trailhead at 29000 Mount Mitchell Road.
• The construction of an interpretive kiosk that tells the many fascinating stories associated with the site and its prairie.
• The installation of visitor amenities, including a drinking fountain for people and pets, electricity for events, restroom facilities, an ADA trail to the ruts of the Topeka/Fort Riley Road, trail signage, and historical and prairie ecosystem interpretive signage.
• Guided wildflower walks and tours of the Mitchell log cabin across the road from the Park will be given from 9 am until noon. The cabin was a station on the westernmost branch of the Underground Railroad. Escaping slaves were given shelter there on their journey to freedom in Canada.

20th Anniversary Mitchell Farm and Prairie Celebration

At 11 am, descendants of William Izott Mitchell, who envisioned the Park in 1953 and donated the original acreage, will be present at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in a tent located at the bus turnaround in the new parking area. Golf carts will be available to ferry visitors from their cars to the tent.

The Board of the Prairie Guards wish to thank all of the individuals, foundations, and supporters whose contributions have made the Park the success it is today. Special thanks to our “Acre-Makers” and the family foundations who made the purchase of additional acreage and infrastructure development possible.

Major contributions from foundations include the Miller Hammond Charitable Fund, HHM Charitable Fund, Sunderland Foundation, Dwane and Velma Wallace Foundation, Carsey Living Trust, Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Samuel George Terbovich Fund, Brian & Judith Litle Charitable Trust, Michael & Ceil Pulitzer Trust, Cohen Charitable Trust, Ward & Brenda Morgan, Francis Family Foundation, Alma Area Foundation, Hughes Charitable Fund, Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, and the Wamego Historical Society. Signage listing Acre-Makers and Major Contributors will be installed near the new kiosk, but not in time for the June 21st celebration.

Sincerely, Michael Stubbs for the board of the Prairie Guards, Christy Crenshaw, Bruce Waugh, Michelle Crisler, John Hund, Kathryn Mitchell Buster, Christian Bishop, Brian Peterson, and Susan Adams.