Editor’s Note: This is the fifth story in a series of articles part of a special print edition highlighting senior citizens in the community. Visit local businesses to pick up your copy or reach out to [email protected].

Chuck Garrett is involved with Eudora’s community because of his commitment to preserving history and educating future generations.

Garrett has been a part of the board of directors for the Eudora Area Historical Society for about two years. He spends time reaching out to community members about the objects they want to donate to the museum as well as any information residents have about history.

“Well, if we don’t let the people learn what people did, how we got here today, the next generations are gonna forget. They won’t be presented with it,” he said.

He enjoys learning about the Indigenous people who lived in the surrounding area and the former Sunflower Ammunition plant’s effects on the area. After spending some time in the museum and getting to know its director Ben Terwilliger, Garrett joined the board.

He meets with the board every other month. The board of directors helps ensure the museum is able to serve the public. Since the museum has been planning for a new exhibit, Garrett has shared thoughts as construction grows closer. The new exhibit will focus on the area’s earliest history.

Garrett and his wife, Sandy, moved to Eudora in 1995 after living in Overland Park to be closer to his farmland. Garrett was born in Overbrook, Kansas, on a 300-acre farm. He still owns the land he grew up on and does monthly maintenance on the property. The corn and soybean fields are farmed by someone they hire, but Garrett is still involved with the farm.

The Garretts are huge lovers of all things Eudora, and the historical society has found his wisdom and support to be an asset.