Shawnee Methodist Mission Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Shawnee Mission
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

The historic site in 2021
Location	3403 W. 53rd Street, Fairway, Kansas
Area	12 acres (4.9 ha)
Built	1839 (1839)
NRHP reference No.	66000345
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	May 23, 1968

The Shawnee Methodist Mission, also called the Shawnee Mission, was once known as the Shawnee Indian Manual Labor School. It is located in Fairway, Kansas, in the United States. This important place was named a National Historic Landmark in 1968. Today, the city runs it as a museum. The Kansas Historical Society owns the site, which is known as the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site.

This mission briefly served as the second capital of the Kansas Territory. This happened when lawmakers who supported slavery were in charge. It was the capital from July 16 to August 7, 1855.

The name "Shawnee Mission" is still used today. The United States Postal Service uses it for many towns in northeastern Johnson County. The Shawnee Mission School District also serves these areas.

A Look Back at the Shawnee Mission
How the Mission is Managed Today
Gallery
See also

A Look Back at the Shawnee Mission

How the Mission Started

In the 1820s and 1830s, many Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, moved to what is now Kansas. In 1830, Chief Fish, a leader of the Shawnee, asked for a missionary. Reverend Thomas Johnson, a Methodist minister, was sent to help the Shawnee people.

Reverend Johnson was born in Virginia and later moved to Missouri. He owned enslaved people and supported slavery. Johnson suggested building a school for many different tribes. They chose a spot just west of the Missouri border. This location was special because the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails all passed through Shawnee lands there.

Life at the School

The school first opened in October 1839 as a day school. It had one building, which is now called the West building. At its busiest time, the mission was a huge place. It covered more than 2,000 acres (810 ha) and had 16 buildings. Three large brick buildings from that time are still standing today.

Nearly 150 Native American boys and girls attended the school. They ranged in age from 5 to 23. Children from 22 different tribes came to learn. They studied basic school subjects, including English. They also learned practical skills and farming. The East building was the main chapel and classroom for boys. The attic of this building was the boys' sleeping area. The North building was where the girls had their classes and bedrooms.

Important Events at the Mission

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was created. Andrew Reeder, the new governor, had his offices at the mission. The first group of lawmakers for the territory met there. Reverend Johnson was even the president of this group. During this time, some very unfair laws were passed. These laws were meant to keep slavery going in Kansas.

In 1858, Reverend Thomas Johnson gave the school to his oldest son, Alexander. Alexander ran the mission until it closed in 1862. The mission closed during a time of fighting and trouble in Kansas. This period was known as "Bleeding Kansas" and the "border wars." After closing, the site became a camp for Union soldiers during the American Civil War. It was used until 1864.

The mission was private property for many years. Then, in 1927, the Kansas State Historical Society took it over. It became a state historic site. In 1968, it was officially named a National Historic Landmark.

The Shawnee People

The "Fish" Shawnee tribe had to move from their traditional home in Ohio. They were moved to lands set aside for Native Americans. These lands were in what would become Kansas. This move happened because of the Treaty of St. Louis (1825). The mission was first built on land near the American Shawnee Indian Tribe reserve. Reverend Thomas Johnson built it hoping to teach the recently moved tribe about Christianity.

In the 1830s, some very respected Shawnee leaders visited the mission often. One of them was Tenskwatawa, known as "the Shawnee Prophet". He was the younger brother of Tecumseh. Tecumseh had led a war against the United States earlier. Tenskwatawa led the Shawnee when Tecumseh was away at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. After losing this battle, Tenskwatawa and his men went to the British colonies in Canada. He was kept under watch for years after the War of 1812 ended. Tenskwatawa was later allowed to return to the Shawnee. He helped them move from Ohio to Kansas. He passed away in 1836 in his village, which is now Kansas City, Kansas.

The Mission's New Location

The mission was at its first location from 1830 to 1839. In 1839, it moved to its current spot in Johnson County, Kansas. An Indian boarding school was opened there. From 1839 until it closed in 1862, the Shawnee Mission was a training school. It taught Native Americans, mostly from the Shawnee and Delaware (Lenape) tribes, practical skills.

The Shawnee Mission also served as the second capital of the Kansas Territory for a short time. The capital moved to the mission on July 16, 1855. This happened after lawmakers who supported slavery voted to leave the first Territorial Capitol of Kansas at Pawnee. It stayed the capital until August 8, when the government moved to Lecompton. While the capital was at Shawnee Mission, the lawmakers passed controversial laws. These laws supported slavery and led to violence known as "Bleeding Kansas." During the American Civil War, the site was used as a camp for Union soldiers.

How the Mission is Managed Today

The City of Fairway helps manage the Shawnee Mission. They do this through an agreement with the Kansas Historical Society, which owns the site. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1968 because of its important history.