Liberty Ledgers Project to Preserve Community Stories for Future Generations
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FRANKLIN, KS. — A project celebrating two historic milestones in 2026 is preparing to preserve a piece of today's community history for generations to come.
The Miners Hall Museum Foundation's Liberty Ledgers project, created in recognition of America's 250th anniversary and Pittsburg's 150th anniversary, will culminate Dec. 30, when three commemorative ledgers are placed inside GNBank's vault for safekeeping.
GNBank, a business member of Miners Hall Museum, has been designated the official repository for the ledgers. The bank will preserve the books as a time capsule filled with names, personal messages, family stories, memories and dedications from people throughout the community.
Throughout 2026, individuals and families have been invited to contribute to one of three ledgers, leaving behind a record of who they are and what matters to them today.
"We wanted these ledgers to be more than a record of names. We wanted them to capture a little piece of who we are today, the people, families, and stories that make our communities special," said Phyllis Bitner, chair of the Miners Hall Museum Foundation. "Someday, when these books are opened, we hope future generations will discover a personal connection to the people who helped shape our history."
Museum officials chose a bank vault rather than a traditional buried time capsule to provide a secure, protected environment where the books can remain preserved for decades.
Community members still have time to participate
The Liberty Ledgers project will remain open for entries through Dec. 30, 2026. Participants can choose from three contribution levels:
Patriot Ledger – $5: Two lines for a name or brief message.
Liberty Ledger – $10: Four lines for a longer message, dedication or family remembrance.
Legacy Ledger – $25: Up to a full page for a family story, personal reflection or message to future generations. Additional pages are available for $25 each.
Each participant will also receive a commemorative keepsake card.
Entries can be made in person at Miners Hall Museum, located at 701 S. Broadway in Franklin, Kansas. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Those unable to visit in person can contact the museum by phone to arrange payment by credit card and have their message handwritten into the ledger.
Whether honoring an ancestor, preserving a family memory, recognizing someone special or simply leaving a name for future generations, the project offers community members an opportunity to become part of a historical record.
The completed ledgers will be placed in GNBank's vault Dec. 30, marking the conclusion of the year-long project.
As the community celebrates 150 years of Pittsburg and 250 years of America, the Liberty Ledgers serve as a reminder that history is not only about the past, but also about the stories people choose to preserve for the future.
