Our Commitment and Restoration Plan
SITE IN DISTRESS
The Shawnee Indian Manual Labor School (SIMLS) 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, with only one of the three buildings open to the public. The Shawnee Tribe has designated the Mission as a sacred site and is committed to ensuring it is properly restored, preserved and protected for generations to come.
TEAM OF EXPERTS
To that end, the Tribe contracted a nationally renowned historic architecture firm, Architectural Resources Group, to perform a site condition assessment and develop a plan to restore the site. Shawnee Tribe cultural resource staff and elected officials have extensive experience in exhibition development, site interpretation and site management, in addition to sustaining meaningful partnerships in historic preservation efforts across 20+ states. The Tribe maintains a roster of qualified archeologists, language experts, museum experts, and historians.
West Building, south door of foyer and stairs.
East Building, plaster & lath and graffiti marks in the south end of the attic.
COLLABORATIVE RESTORATION
All restoration work and future maintenance to the site will be performed in full consultation with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office, Architectural Resources Group, and the other tribal nations historically tied to the Shawnee Indian Manual Labor School.
IMPROVE OPERATIONS
The Shawnee Tribe is committed to keeping the site open to the public and operational exclusively as a historic site. The Tribe will replace the site's current one-person staff with a Kansas-based team and provide adequate resources to offer rich programs and activities, all while managing the grounds & facilities and ensuring the site is properly restored and maintained.
7-YEAR PHASED
SITE RESTORATION PLAN
PHASE 1
(YEARS 1 & 2)
CONVEYANCE, HISTORICAL STRUCTURE REPORT
& CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT
CONVEYANCE:
The Shawnee Tribe Business Council has committed to fully funding up to $15 million to carry out this restoration and revitalization plan, which is contingent on the conveyance of the site back to the Tribe. HB 2208 is currently under consideration by the Kansas legislature.
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
(YEAR 2)
SITE STABILIZATION
ARG's Conditions Assessment Report (2021) 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
(YEARS 3-7)
MASTER PLAN, INTERPRETIVE PLAN, NEW INTERPRETIVE INSTALLATION & CONTINUED SITE STABILIZATION
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, and 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 & other tribal nations with ties to the site, its prominent legacy as one of the earliest federally backed Native American boarding schools, the importance of the buildings from an architectural history perspective, as much of the historic fabric remains unaltered, as well as the site’s part in the history of Kansas statehood.
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:
West Building, plaster damage and exposed masonry below stairwell window.
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.
