THE SHAWNEE INDIAN
MISSION SCHOOL IS IN
"TWO THE NATION’S FOREMOST PRESERVATION ORGANIZATIONS SAY THE MISSION IS ENDANGERED. WE MUST ACT SWIFTLY TO SAVE THIS SITE"
- Shawnee Chief Ben Barnes
SEE THE FULL SITE ASSESSMENT REPORT AT
An Overview
WRITE YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS
& ENCOURAGE THEIR SUPPORT
VIEW OUR COMMITMENT
& SITE RESTORATION PLAN
PHASED RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE SHAWNEE INDIAN MISSION
SITE IN DISTRESS
The Shawnee Indian Mission is an essential national landmark that has recorded some of the most significant moments in Kansas’ history and is a monument to the perseverance of all Indigenous peoples affected by this place. Due to inadequate funding and mismanagement over the years, this public treasure has fallen into deep physical distress. The Shawnee Tribe has designated the Mission as a sacred site and is committed to ensuring the site is properly preserved and protected.
SITE IN DISTRESS
To that end, the Tribe contracted a nationally renowned historic architecture firm to perform a site condition assessment and develop a plan to restore the Shawnee Indian Mission. The Shawnee Tribe has extensive experience and meaningful partnerships in historic preservation, exhibition development, interpretation, and site management. The Tribe operates a fully staffed cultural center and maintains a roster of qualified experts, including archeologists, language experts, museum experts, and a Historic Preservation Office.
COLLABORATIVE RESTORATION
All restoration and maintenance will be performed in partnership with the other tribes with ties to this site, the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office, and Architectural Resources Group, which has extensive experience restoring significant landmarks across the nation.
IMPROVED OPERATION
The Shawnee Tribe is committed to keeping the Shawnee Indian Mission open to the public and operational exclusively as a historic site. The Tribe will replace the current one-person staff with a Kansas-based team and provide adequate resources so that the site can offer rich programs and activities, all while managing the grounds & facilities and ensuring the site is restored correctly.
7-YEAR PHASE RESTORATION PLAN
PHASE 1
CONVEYANCE, HISTORICAL STRUCTURE REPORT & CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT (YEARS 1 & 2)
Conveyance:
The Shawnee Tribe Business Council has committed to fully funding at least $15 million to carry out this restoration and revitalization plan, which is contingent on the conveyance of the site back to the Tribe.
Historic Structure Report (HSR):
Industry standards for stewardship of historic buildings begin with preparing an authoritative HSR documenting the history and physical characteristics of the site and its various historical uses
Cultural Landscape Report (CLR):
: The site warrants careful consideration of the full range of archaeological remains— including architectural remnants, agricultural features, and the potential for burials of Indigenous children and enslaved people/workers—that may be present.
PHASE 2
SITE STABILIZATION (YEAR 2)
The ARG Conditions Assessment Report recorded a range of deteriorating conditions at the site for which repair and treatment actions were developed, calling out “high,” “medium” and “low priority” repair and maintenance treatments. “High priority” recommendations indicate that deterioration is active, and treatment within 1-2 years is needed to prevent or slow the rate of deterioration and material loss. The large-scale exterior maintenance projects classified as “high priority” for the site will be the main focus of this phase.
PHASE 3
MASTER PLAN, INTERPRETIVE PLAN, NEW INTERPRETIVE INSTALLATION & CONTINUED SITE STABILIZATION (YEARS 3-7)
Master Plan:
The master plan study would outline the goals for the use of the cultural resource based on the input of the various stakeholders, then define an overall spatial layout of plans for the site.
Interpretive Plan:
The next step is developing an updated, accurate interpretation of the site that highlights its relevance to the history of the Shawnee people, its prominent legacy as one of the earliest federally mandated Native American boarding schools, and the importance of the buildings from an architectural history perspective, as much of the historic fabric remains unaltered.
New Interpretive Installation:
The Tribe anticipates reimagining approximately 14,000 square feet for the new installation, including two floors in the North and East buildings and the ground floor in the West to use for educational exhibits.
Continued Site Stabilization:
Repair and maintenance treatments deemed “medium-” and “low priority” will be addressed in this Phase, along with the implementation of regular Maintenance and Inspection protocols.
LEADING HISTORIC PRESERVATION
EXPERTS AGREE
“BUT I’VE HEARD THAT…”
CLAIM:
“…the site will become tribal land”
FACT:
“the long and short of it is that if the Shawnee Tribe purchases that land, they’re just another land owner” Gary Pitchlynn, Adjunct Law Professor, Oklahoma University, an expert in tribal sovereignty and tribal gaming law.
Shawnee Mission Post, January 25, 2023
CLAIM:
….the site will become a casino”
FACT:
“(conveyance of the property to the tribe) certainly doesn’t mean the tribe can develop that property any way it wants, certainly not for gaming” Gary Pitchlynn, Adjunct Law Professor, Oklahoma University, an expert in tribal sovereignty and tribal gaming law.
Shawnee Mission Post, January 25, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.
Why does SIMLS need saving?
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Inadequate maintenance and care endanger the site
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Two of three buildings not open to public
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Holes in the roof
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Historic features and finishes already lost
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No plan for historic restoration (the structures ARE part of the collection)
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Culturally insensitive and irrelevant programming
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Include links in-line and in margin to ARG report
Q2.
Is there a plan to save it?
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Funding already expended for Conditions Assessment Report
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Shawnee Tribe plan
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Phased approach
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Restore structures to standards and open them to the public
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Implement programming that engages the community on the site’s history
Q3.
What is SIMLS and why is it important?
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Boarding school history
US Dept of Interior Report on Indian Boarding Schools -
National conversation around those issues
NABSHC -
Tribes impacted
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National landmark
NPS? -
Oldest residential structure in KS