Chisholm Trail Sesquicentennial 

The partnership between Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail received the Governor's Award for Tourism at the 2017 Kansas Tourism Conference in Garden City. While the Governor was unable to attend the event, he did film a special note that was played at the conference. In his remarks, Governor Brownback thanked members of the committee for coordinating multiple events to bring "herds" of people of Kansas. 

Tourism Tidbits...

  • Abilene's Victorian Inn was named "2017 Hotelier of the Year" by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association. 
  • Groundbreaking for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is set for November 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Click here to read more about the ceremony.
  • Michael Hook, director of the Dickinson County Heritage Center, and Deb Sanders, National Old West Trails Foundation, attended a special celebration on Sunday commemorating Joseph McCoy's birthday. Read more here.
  • Thanks to Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe with the Kansas Sampler Foundation for stopping by last week! Abilene has more than 24 listings in the Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers. Buy yours today in the Abilene Visitors Center. 
  • A new billboard was installed south of Abilene on Kansas Highway 15 to greet visitors. 
  • Abilene CVB Director, Julie Roller, received the Kansas Destination Specialist designation at the 2017 Kansas Tourism Conference. Roller was also elected to serve on the board for the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.
Photo courtesy of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum.
Throwback Thursday

The Sunflower Hotel at 409 N.W. Third Street, Abilene, Kansas.

"In 1931, in the Great Depression days, the tallest building in Abilene, Kansas was opened to the  public. The Sunflower Hotel, masterminded by Cleyson Brown, would be host to conventions, famous guests, and be known as the grandest hotel between Kansas City and Denver. Brown would seek out the best of everything from its furnishings to the food service, as was his style in everything that he did. !" -written by Bill Jeffcoat
. 
Visit the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum's Facebook Page for more photos. 
Trip Advisor - Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Dinner Trains

One dinner train remains for the 2017 season. 
  • Saturday, October 28 - West's Country Mart - prime rib
All dinner trains depart at 6:00 p.m. and are pulled by the Diesel Locomotive.

Cost: $45/person. Advanced purchase required.

Click here to learn more.

Dickinson County Heritage Center

3rd Annual Tombstone Talks



Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
Exhibit in the Museum Temporary Gallery until May 2018

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail, which brought nearly two million cattle from Texas to the railhead in Abilene, Kansas, between 1867 and 1871. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the square meal, the real McCoy, origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western in the Cowtown that raised a President!

Eisenhower and the Great War
Exhibit in the Upstairs Library Gallery until May 2018

War erupted in Europe in 1914 and soon involved nations around the globe. The Great War, as it became known, shocked the world with its massive scope and the industrial-like slaughter created by advances in military technology. The United States reluctantly joined the conflict in 1917 and began to build a large professional army from the ground up. One of the young officers who helped in this endeavor was a lieutenant by the name of Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower showed remarkable talent for organization and leadership during the years of American involvement in the war. Tasked with training thousands of inexperienced troops in the new and untested art of armored warfare, Eisenhower quickly built a strong and motivated group of soldiers while overcoming severe obstacles and setbacks. This exhibit tells the story of the Great War and its influence on Eisenhower's leadership abilities. World War I, as it would become known later in the century, proved critical to the making of this American Icon.

Great Plains Theatre 

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Calendar of Events

DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
DETAILS
10/22/2017 Operation Veterans Suicide Outreach Program Eisenhower Visitors Center 1:00 p.m.
10/28/2017 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Silver Flyer Railbus ASVRR  10:00 a.m.
10/28/2017 3rd Annual Tombstone Talks Abilene Cemetery 6:00 p.m.
11/11/2017 Veterans Day Ceremonies Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum 10:30 a.m.
11/27/2017 - 12/31/2017 Seelye Mansion Christmas Tours Seelye Mansion Daily
12/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 Christmas Tree Lane

12/1/2017 - 12/10/2017 GPT Mainstage Production "Peter and the Starcatcher" Great Plains Theatre
12/2/2017 Night of Christmas Magic Downtown Abilene / Abilene Civic Center
12/3/2017 Abilene Municipal Band Holiday Concert Eisenhower Visitors Center 2:00 p.m.
12/2/2017 - 12/3/2017 Homes for the Holidays Tour

   
Stay in Abilene
Abilene Lodging Establishments

Abilene  is home to more than 200 rooms. Whether you're in town to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, enjoy a show at the Great Plains Theatre, attend the Central Kansas Free Fair, meet with greyhound industry leaders or take a ride on the  Abilene  & Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit, spend the night and enjoy all  Abilene  has to offer.
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