Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas
Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas is the latest addition to my collection.
Kansas became the 34th state to join the Union on January 29, 1861. Various Native American tribes had long inhabited the region before European settlers arrived via trails such as the Oregon and Santa Fe. It was at the center of national conflict over slavery in the 1850s, earning the nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” Over time, the state’s rich soil and climate made it a powerhouse of agriculture, transforming its economy and identity. Its motto, “Ad astra per aspera” (“To the stars through difficulties”), speaks to Kansas’s spirit of perseverance through trials and turmoil.
– The sunflower, featured in the design of the ornament, is the official state flower of Kansas. Its bright, golden petals reflect the expansive skies and prairie lands for which the state is known. More than just a pretty bloom, the sunflower is embraced as a symbol of growth, hope, and the natural beauty of the Sunflower State.
– The farmer holding a pitchfork honors the agricultural backbone of Kansas. With wheat, corn, and soybeans as staple crops, farming has sustained communities and shaped the state’s economy for generations. The figure represents the diligence, resilience, and connection to the land that many Kansans hold dear.
– The fields of wheat shown in the design evoke Kansas’s identity as a leading wheat producer. Stretching across vast plains, these golden fields not only provide vital agricultural output but also define much of the state’s character. The imagery is a tribute to abundance, hard work, and the rhythms of rural life.
– The Tee Pee in Lawrence, Kansas, stands as the world’s largest concrete tipi, measuring 50 feet tall and 33 feet wide. Originally part of a 1950s roadside attraction called the Tee Pee Junction Camp, it now serves as a nostalgic landmark along U.S. Highway 40. This unique structure celebrates Kansas’s Native American heritage while also reflecting the state’s mid-century Americana and roadside culture.
– The channel catfish, Kansas’s official state fish, represents the aquatic life in its rivers and lakes. It thrives in water bodies throughout the state, from the Kansas River to smaller streams and reservoirs. Its inclusion in the design underscores the state’s ecological diversity and the importance of fishing and waterways in local life.
– While not a State bird, the greater prairie-chicken is a grouse species native to the grasslands of central North America, with Kansas being a key stronghold for the species. Males are famous for their spring courtship displays at leks, where they inflate bright orange air sacs and perform booming dances. Populations have declined due to habitat loss, but conservation efforts in remaining prairies are helping protect these iconic birds.
