Dole Institute Archives series highlights Topeka, Dole connections

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics’ Robert J. Dole Archive and Special Collections is partnering with the KU and Washburn alumni associations to present “Your Story, His Story, the Legacy: Snapshots in Time from the Dole Archives.” Dole Institute senior archivist Audrey Coleman will interview Judge Sam Crow and Susie Hoffmann in a program following a public reception.

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Washburn University’s Memorial Union, Room Washburn A/B. The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. See below for details.

 “Your Story, His Story, the Legacy: Snapshots from the Dole Archives” will integrate images of archival materials and objects with the the live recollections of the program’s special guests, thereby connecting the archival record to the city of Topeka, the history of Kansas politics and the legacy of former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.

“Bob Dole has come to be synonymous with Kansas and the community spirit of the state. It’s fun to present materials from his historical collections that reflect local communities – in this case Washburn University and Topeka in general – as well as local leaders, who we’ll be chatting with interview-style,” Coleman said. “Dole, through his life and work, built a network that we’re all a part of. This is an opportunity for people, as part of that network, to come together, reminiscence and celebrate a shared and not-so-distant past, all while recognizing Dole’s decades-long career working for our state.”

For the event, Coleman will interview Crow, Dole’s distinguished Washburn Law classmate, and Topeka-based Dole staffer Hoffmann. Objects and memorabilia related to the senator’s days as a student at Washburn through his 1996 campaign, as well as materials from various Kansas Day commemorations, will be utilized. The Washburn University Archives will be there and contribute materials, as well.

“It’s gratifying to connect the dots between ‘history’ – in archives and museum collections – and people, places and events now," Coleman said. “Our past not only matters, it often inspires.”

“Your Story, His Story, the Legacy: Snapshots in Time from the Dole Archives” is a newly formed traveling series that aims to draw connections among the senator’s work, the people of Kansas and the Dole Institute. These events will provide access to archive materials that may be relevant to individuals’ hometowns and personal experiences.

“Senator Dole wanted the Dole Institute to be available to all the citizens of Kansas,” said Dole Institute director Bill Lacy. “So this is a great opportunity to show folks what goes on here and the incredible legacy of leadership Bob Dole has created.”

Please make reservations for this event by contacting Clarissa Unger at 785-864-1440 or by emailing FriendsofDole@ku.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.

The Robert J. Dole Archive & Special Collections at the Dole Institute of Politics is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of papers and artifacts for a nonpresidential politician.  It contains the complete records of Dole’s political and post-political career, including manuscripts, photographs, audio-visual material, oral histories, textiles, and artifacts.  The collection is a window to the legislative process as well as a resource for Kansas history and a chronicle of late 20th century history and popular culture.