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Tallgrass Tales – Stories from the Flint Hills

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

A collection of recollections from seasoned Flint Hills ranchers and other cow-folk, captured on film by Kansas photographer Mark Feiden. Project funded by Humanities Kansas.

Steve Cormier, Cowboy Poet

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

A concise history of the Santa Fe Trail

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

Beginning in 1821, the Santa Fe Trail was actively in use for almost 60 years. How could a relatively short-lived highway of commerce have a legacy lasting two hundred years? A Prairie Talk will explore this subject. At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 21, Steve Schmidt, of Hesston, will present “Santa Fe Trail 101” in the […]

Women of the Ranch

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

Farm and ranch women typically play many roles. They are some combination of daughter, wife, mother, business partner, driver, drover, and cowhand all rolled into one. And a woman who began filling these roles in the first part of the 20th century has witnessed extraordinary change. It is likely that she has hauled water to […]

Peace on the Prairie

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

It is said:  Music is the sound of art. Both music and visual art are merged in “Peace on the Prairie,” a collaboration by singer-songwriter, Annie Wilson, and artist, Susan Rose. At 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 16, Pioneer Bluffs presents “Peace on the Prairie,” featuring an art exhibit by Susan Rose, a conversation with Rose […]

Prairie Talk: History of the Flint Hills

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

Mike Holder, Kansas State University Extension Agent (retired), begins at the beginning of the Flint Hills, “why it is what it is,” says Holder. He will discuss formation of the Flint Hills, the Native American presence, and the influence of ranching. Holder is known as a good storyteller and draws on 47 years with the […]

Prairie Talk: The Hatcher Family story

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

An upcoming Prairie Talk will tell the story of a Flint Hills family that began in 1897 at the Emporia Stock Yards. At 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 9, Jeanne Hatcher shares the history of six generations of the Hatcher family. From Emporia to Chase County, the Fox Creek Ranch grew. Today the children and grandchildren […]

Prairie Talk: The Bill House and Methvin Family Stories

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

Flint Hills ranch families have stories to tell and we will have the opportunity to hear two such stories from Carol House and Nancy Methvin. Join us to hear the House and Methvin stories.

Prairie Talk: The Anderson/Patton/Johnson Stories

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch Main Barn 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, United States

Join us to hear the stories of the Anderson operation and the six generation stories of the Johnson and Patton families.

Where the Buffalo Roam

Pioneer Bluffs, Center for Flint Hills Ranching Heritage 695 Kansas Highway 177, Matfield Green, KS, KS, United States

Photo courtesy of Zach Bell The American Bison was named the official state animal of Kansas in 1955. Come celebrate the “Monarch of the Plains” with us on Saturday, November 11, 2023. 12-1 pm: Locally-sourced smoked buffalo lunch by Chef Tracey Graham and other Pioneer Bluffs volunteers. Suggested donation $15-25, depending on your appetite! 12-4 pm […]