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In April 2011, the Frank Carlson Library received a mini grant from the Kansas Humanities Council to renovate the library’s Frank Carlson Room. Coinciding with the yearlong Kansas 150 Commemoration, the renovation was part of a statewide initiative to preserve the memory of important people and events in the state’s past. Senator Frank Carlson is the only Kansan to have held four major public offices, serving in the Kansas State House of Representatives, in the United States House of Representatives, as the Governor of Kansas, and in the United States Senate.

The Frank Carlson room renovation project replaced the original Frank Carlson display, created in 1976 and on view until the summer of 2011. The new exhibit, “Frank Carlson: Prairie Politician,” tells and preserves Senator Carlson’s story through an updated exhibit and modern archival techniques. The exhibit showcases Carlson memorabilia, photographs, and items from the Senator’s personal collection, which is housed in the Frank Carlson library. “Frank Carlson: Prairie Politician” tells the Senator’s story in three parts, beginning with his childhood and church leadership in Concordia, Kansas, following him through his forty-year political career, and celebrating his legacy in Kansas and in Cloud County.

One of the main themes of the exhibit is the way Carlson is remembered in the community. The exhibit portrays Carlson as both a local farmer and a long-term senator who worked hard to represent the needs of his constituents. Unlike many political figures, Carlson is remembered for his genuine interest in helping the people at home. “Frank Carlson: Prairie Politician” highlights his involvement in local youth programs, such as 4-H and FFA, as well as his high-profile Senate committee assignments to projects such as the Joseph McCarthy investigative committee and the Foreign Relations Committee.

“Frank Carlson: Prairie Politician” opened to the public on November 5, 2011. The open house was attended by Carlson’s family and friends, members of the local community, and state representatives. Library visitors can view the exhibit. Guided tours of the exhibit are available upon request.