By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Since 1990, a federal law requires agencies, like museums, that receive federal funding to return Native American “cultural items” to lineal descendants, such as American Indians. A state archeologist recently visited the Barton County Historical Society museum and said multiple exhibits needed to be taken off display because of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Barton County historian Justin Engleman said the Historical Society is in the process of redoing exhibits, including the one dedicated to the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.
"I want to do some virtual things," said Engleman. "We have a bunch of photos of the zoo where we can put a slideshow up. Maybe add a video, a lot history of it. I know we have two or three big files out there with history and clippings of the different animals."
A polar bear, that used to be at the zoo, is mounted inside a large glass case. Engleman is suggesting to remove the case and add other entertainment pieces to the exhibit.
"There was actually a circus based in Barton County called Andress Circus," said Engleman. "We have a lot of posters from that. I want to include that in the exhibit with the zoo. I also want to include information about other parks and sports."
The Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking into a tourism grant to assist with the exhibit overhaul.