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Leavenworth Historical Society outlines public ‘buffalo herd’ public-art project; 20 statues planned by fall
Summary
The Leavenworth County Historical Society described a public-art initiative to install painted metal buffalo sculptures across Leavenworth and surrounding cities, funded partly by a $16,000 state tourism grant and local sponsors, with maps and QR-enabled interpretive content planned.
The Leavenworth County Historical Society updated the Leavenworth City Commission on a public-art program that will place painted metal buffalo sculptures at downtown and off-site locations to promote tourism and local history.
Carol Ayers, speaking for the historical society, said the project received a $16,000 (60/40 match) grant from Kansas Tourism and was one of 14 awards out of 43 applicants. The sculptures are metal, about 4 feet tall and 5 feet long; with concrete pads they will weigh roughly 125 pounds, Ayers said.
Ayers said local artists are being commissioned to design and paint the statues to reflect themes including historic Leavenworth, Kansas statewide history and the Old West. Each statue will be accompanied by signage and a QR code linking to digital narratives about Kansas Plains natives and buffalo ecology. “There will be maps available online once they’re installed, so visitors and locals alike can see where they’re at,” Ayers said.
The society described an initial “first herd” with nine statues completed and sites approved on city property downtown, including Haymarket Square, Main Street parking adjacent to the mural, Tenpenny and Union Park. Sponsors for completed or committed statues include Kansas Country Store, JF Denny/Third & Delaware, Heartland Dental, Culver’s on Eisenhower, Suburban Restaurant, Midwest Horizons Marketing, University of Saint Mary, Main Street and others. Lansing City Hall, Tonganoxie Historical Society and other nearby locations will also display statues.
Organizers said the city and the historical society drafted a memorandum of understanding to set maintenance and siting expectations; the city removed a required insurance condition after the society told staff it would be cost-prohibitive, though some cities (Lansing) added statues to their insurance coverage. Ayers said the society and sponsors will manage maintenance and repainting as needed and have committed initial sponsorships for five years with options to renew.
Due to demand the society ordered 12 additional statues (a “second herd”) and expects the manufacturer to deliver them next May; the society said several of those already have sponsors. Ayers said Home Depot and other partners will pour concrete pads for sites once ground conditions allow.
The commission asked about safety, vandalism and insurance. Ayers said sponsors and the nonprofit will carry insurance where feasible, signs will note liability disclaimers and the society will plan maintenance and removal for wear or damage.
Clarifying details: grant amount $16,000 (60/40 match) from Kansas Tourism; statue dimensions ~4 ft tall by 5 ft long, assembled weight with pad about 125 pounds; nine statues completed in first herd, goal of 20 statues by fall; 12 additional statues ordered for second herd with manufacturer delivery planned in May.
