Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Eager to live and prosper as free people, african americans have established towns since colonial times. The gospel of nicodemus, also known as the acts of pilate latin. Jesus often strongly denounced them for their legalism see matthew 23. On april 18, 1877, six freed slaves and one white man, w. I wonder how many in todays black lives matter movement know this profound and inspiring story of racial and economic justice. Inspired by the true story of nicodemus, kansas, a town founded in the late 1870s by exodustersformer slaves leaving the jim crow south in search of. Hill and six other africanamerican men who were in search of cheap, unclaimed, federally owned land. He first visits jesus one night to discuss jesus teachings john 3. A journal of the central plains volume 41, number 4 winter 20182019 table of contents. Founded in 1877 and now a historic site, nicodemus is the oldest and one of the few remaining black settlements west of the mississippi.
Most of the early settlers of nicodemus were former slaves from kentucky who had relocated to kansas. All of our photos are at the spencer research library, university of kansas, lawrence, under the title of nicodemus historical society collection. It was titled nicodemus and his gran pappy 1936, and the illustration was a little black boy sitting next to his grandfather who was holding a little girl on his knee. Nicodemus, kansas, represents the earliest and most prosperous midwestern black settlement associated with the massive westward migration of former slaves out of the south during reconstruction. Nicodemus, kansas represents the involvement of african americans in the westward expansion and settlement of. Kansas historian charlotte hinger uses one of these communitiesnicodemus, kansasas the lens through which to view racial politics at the national and local level in the great plains. A storybook about a black boy named nicodemus auction finds.
There was a man of the pharisees, named nicodemus, a ruler of the jews john 3. Racial justice and public land in kansas cleveland. Nicodemus, kansas had an important role in american history. Nikodemos was a pharisee and a member of the sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the gospel of john. The historic town of nicodemus, kansas, springs to life through expressive artwork done in softly fluid lines and hues, conveying all of the hope and joy of the movement. The historic town of nicodemus, kansas, springs to life through expressive artwork done in.
They would recruit over 350 exslaves who came by train and foot to start the town. See it before the town is gone we came here 12 years ago and am saddened to see the town. In april 1877, before officially registering the town, the nicodemus. An important bit of history, no doubt, and one that powerfully illustrates two themes in the biblical story of nicodemus that id like us to consider, themes that also had a particular. Dvd nicodemus a 1 hour keepsake documentary by john mann 1993. The acts of pilate occasionally referred to as the gospel of pilate is a book of new testament apocrypha. Nicodemus, kansas is the only remaining western community established by african americans after the civil war. A lone tree in nicodemus, a small kansas town settled by formerly enslaved african americans at the end of the postcivil war reconstruction era. Inspired by the true story of nicodemus, kansas, a town founded in the late 1870s by. As the first wellknown allblack community on the plains, nicodemus, kansas. In 1976, nicodemus, kansas was designated a national historic landmark. Batman spawn by rahmat m handoko by on deviantart comic book characters, comic character. In the hands of a black illustrator, it wouldve been a loving picture of a black man and his progeny. Nicodemus was established in 1877 by formerly enslaved african americans from kentucky at the end of.
Nov 1, 2019 african americans have played a vital role in building this nation. A civil conversation is a new, ongoing series exploring the experiences of africanamericans in the west, in an effort to create more informed public dialog on issues of race and racism. Having an important role in american history, the town symbolizes the pioneering spirit of these exslaves who fled the wartorn south in search of real freedom and a chance to restart their lives. With courage and perseverance but few material possessions, they made a new life for themselves in a challenging geographical setting. Nicodemus tiny nicodemus, kansas, was founded by freed slaves digging out a new life on the remote western plains. According to the 2010 united states census bureau, nicodemus had a 2010 population of 59. Nicodemus, kansas represents the involvement of african americans in the westward expansion and settlement of the west. Visit nicodemus kansas to celebrate black history month.
January 2019 the author of this article is solely responsible for its content. This was not easy for him, both because he was a member of the pharisees who vigorously. An appealing picture book exploring a part of pioneer history that deserves to be. A child can trace and color the illustrations by tom wellington and. Nicodemus offered two newspapers, a post office, grocery and hardware stores, schools, churches, a bank and a baseball team. The pharisees were a group of jews who were fastidious in keeping the letter of the law and often opposed jesus throughout his ministry. The community was founded in 1877 and is named for the biblical figure nicodemus the nicodemus national historic site, commemorating the only remaining western town established by african americans during the reconstruction period following the american civil war, is in town. The town reached its most prosperous years by 1886, with the maturation of area agricultural production.
The dream led them to the banks of the solomon river in northwest kansas. Nicodemus historical society 665 photos history museum. The town of nicodemus, kansas is the most well known, most successful, and. The 1877 end of reconstruction was a severe blow to black american prospects of achieving the political and social equality that had seemed so tantalizingly within reach in 1865. Every one wants to write about nicodemus, only allnegro community in the state. This coloring books depicts a wide range of the black west, from buffalo soldies and cowboys to specific historic buildings and indivudals who settled at nicodemus. Nicodemus kansas historical society gift shop nicodemus. Request a traveling trunk, request a distance learning program, and check out our lesson plans. The towns place in american history was touted by organizers before it was even platted. May 27, 2019 the dream led them to the banks of the solomon river in northwest kansas. All that we know of nicodemus in the bible is from the gospel of john.
Spencer research library, kansas university, lawrence. The second time nicodemus is mentioned, he reminds his colleagues in the sanhedrin that the law requires that a person be heard. The nicodemus national historic site, commemorating the only remaining. The five historic buildings nicodemus national historic site. The title gospel of nicodemus is medieval in origin. Nicodemus national historic site 2020 all you need to.
The five historic buildings were declared a unit of the national park system on november 12, 1996. An authors note explaining more about the founding of nicodemus, the exodusters who settled the land in kansas and other midwestern states, and information on nicodemus today follows the text. In a way, he has become a type of all those who come to christ for salvation. Our photographic collection contains thousands of historic and recent photos of families and events. Nicodemus, kansas is a small community in north central kansas, named after an escaped slave who bought his way to freedom. Book the land time forgot nicodemus historical society. George winter and the potawatomis removal to kansas by bonnie lynnsherow african american farmers of nicodemus, kansas. Postreconstruction politics and racial justice in western kansas, hinger charts how freedpeople from the south founded nicodemus during.
When dede sees a notice offering land to black people in kansas, her family decides to give up their life of sharecropping to become homesteading pioneers in the midwest. The story of nicodemus the institute for creation research. The first map shows the black township of nicodemus, located in graham county, kansas. The dates of its accreted sections are uncertain, but. County landownership maps and atlases provide excellent sources for studying the changes in black settlement patterns. Nicodemus, kansas the africanamerican mosaic exhibition. A lovely picture book about a slice of history i didnt know existed. Nicodemus has a visitors center with a bookstore and exhibits of the town history. Nicodemus, graham county kansapedia kansas historical society. The kansas historical society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the states history. The town of nicodemus in graham county, western kansas, was founded in 1877 by african americans migrating primarily from kentucky and tennessee, before the time period of the exodusters.
The town of nicodemus, kansas is the most well known, most successful, and only remaining planned community devoted to africanamerican settlement. In 1877 the town of nicodemus, kansas, was the promised land to african americans determined to make the most of new opportunities after the civil war. Nicodemus is an unincorporated community in graham county, kansas, united states. This area preserves, protects and interprets the only remaining western town established by african americans during the reconstruction period following the civil war. Mar 27, 2012 the nicodemus books i bought at auction. See more ideas about black history, african american history and american history. The historic town of nicodemus, kansas, springs to life through expressive. The man named nicodemus appears only on three occasions in the new testament, but these three reveal a most remarkable character. Nicodemus national historic site, nicodemus, kansas. Nicodemus, kansas, represents the earliest and most prosperous midwestern black settlement associated with the massive westward migration of former slaves. Indigenous diplomacy and power in the midcontinent by garrett wright exercising the pencil.
You can get involved and show your support of nicodemus national historic site. Nicodemus quilt kansapedia kansas historical society. Oct 06, 2014 nicodemus, kansas, is a historic black town, settled by african americans at the end of civil war reconstruction. Nicodemus is located along highway 24 in graham county, north central kansas. Mar 06, 2012 nicodemus, kansas had an important role in american history. Kansas postcards, new, vintage, used and unused for sale. Text on back nicodemus national historic site, kansas. Chandler the lore of the town of nicodemus, kansas began on this day in 1877 when a group six former slaves and a white land speculator formed a company to create the first allblack establishment in the great plains.
The dates of its accreted sections are uncertain, but scholars agree in assigning it to the middle of the fourth century. See more ideas about kansas, african and black history. The town symbolizes the pioneering spirit of african americans who dared to leave the war torn south to experience true freedom and self government. Kansas graham county nicodemus latitude longitude 39. Each summer, the town hosts a weekendlong family reunion for descendants, whose ties to the community remain strong, even if they live one or many states away.
We learned a lot this small museum and town is a tribute to the black pioneers who were formerly enslaved and came. At its height, the population was about 650 people. It was founded in 1877 by a white town planner and an african. Nicodemus historic district, nicodemus, graham county, ks.