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Nicodemus Newsletter February 2026

A large group of young students sit on the wooden floor of a large hall, their backs to the camera, and face a park ranger and four students standing in front of a stage and a projection screen showing the photo of a limestone building.
Local 4th grade students participate in a mock election during the annual 4th Grade Days in the Nicodemus Township Hall.

NPS Photo

A man, teenage boy, and woman talk in front of a freestanding exhibit. A young girl is standing at the exhibit and holding a large single headphone to her ear while looking at a touch screen on a slanted surface on the exhibit.
Our new Oral History Exhibit features recordings from interviews with descendants and shares the legacy and importance of recording Nicodemus history.

NPS Photo / Dan Cox

2025: A Year in Review

2025 has been a busy and exciting year for Nicodemus National Historic Site! This year saw the completion of several projects and the progress of others that we plan to finish in 2026 and beyond. Our team is proud of their accomplishments this year and we look forward to continuing our work to share the incredible story of Nicodemus and its people.

Here are some of the highlights:

Exhibits and Media

Our interpretive team researched and designed a multimedia Oral History Exhibit where visitors can listen to and read parts of oral history interviews from Nicodemus residents. In August, we rolled out a new Junior Ranger booklet with fun activities to help visitors discover the history of Nicodemus.

Programs and Events

In 2025, we hosted events that included a Women’s History Month program showcasing women of Nicodemus and a virtual Black History Month program that featured a panel of rangers from different Black history NPS sites. We also hosted a Juneteenth program with descendant Angela Bates, and of course, we hosted our annual 4th Grade Days. In September, we went to Camp Hansen in Kirwin to participate in WACKY Day, an event hosted by the Kansas Natural Resources Foundation that brings local 6th grade students together to learn about natural resources, conservation, and agriculture from public land management agencies in Kansas.

Visitor Enhancements

In July, we installed a new park sign in front of the Township Hall. The site purchased and set up a new tent to keep visitors cool during Homecoming. Shout out to the Fort Larned National Historic Site maintenance staff, who provided their expertise and labor!

That’s 2025 in review! We are grateful for the Nicodemus community, who continue to support Nicodemus National Historic Site.

A white man with dark gray hair, white and gray beard, and wearing wire-frame glasses and a bright red button-up long sleeve shirt with the National Park Service arrowhead logo on the front right of it smiles at something off camera in a low-lit room.
William "Chappy" Chapman, pictured above, is retiring after 35 years. Nicodemus staff are grateful to Chappy for his contributions to the park!

NPS Photo

Superintendent's Note

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As I reflect on 2025, I am so grateful for the perseverance and growth demonstrated this past year. The staff at Nicodemus National Historic Site are dedicated to this community and telling the story of Nicodemus to the American people. Every year, we strive to do better. I value the feedback of our visitors and community. My door is always open, and I look forward to hearing from you all this year!

At the end of 2025, we said thank you and goodbye to longtime employee, William “Chappy” Chapman, who retired after 35 years with the National Park Service. He spent his career dedicated to preserving American history and demonstrated those skills during the restoration of the A.M.E. Church in Nicodemus. Chappy began his NPS career as a carpenter in 1990, restoring the Cape Hatteras Bodie Island lighthouse double keepers’ quarters. He assisted parks damaged by Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, taught countless others the skills of historic preservation, and maintained Fort Larned for decades.

Thank you, Chappy, for your friendship and commitment to conserving the historic structures at Nicodemus!

Warm Regards,

Cassie Branstetter
Superintendent
Nicodemus National Historic Site

In a large hall, people sit in two rows of brown armchairs and two rows of black plastic chairs and face away from the camera, looking at the stage area, which is covered by a large projection screen showing a presentation with maps and images.
Like last year, we will be hosting a Black History Month program in February, partnering with different Black history sites!

NPS Photo

Our Plans for 2026

Nicodemus National Historic Site has some great upcoming events and projects that are set to roll out in 2026.

Park staff are currently in the process of creating two new exhibits for the A.M.E. Church. One will be a soundscape using recordings from the Williams Sisters album and sermons recorded by Reverend Allen Smith. The second is a “Window to the Past” exhibit that will show a short reenactment video loop, set in 1880s Nicodemus.

Starting on April 1st, Nicodemus will host the Kansas Humanities’ “Declaration 1776” exhibit in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial. This traveling exhibit will be displayed inside the Township Hall until July 14th.

There are also many maintenance projects that will be undertaken in the coming year, such as the cleaning and revitalization of the masonry of Township Hall, fixing the Township Hall roof, and setting the outdoor interpretive panels in concrete.

Make sure to check out our website and follow us on social media for more updates in 2026.

A white male park ranger talking to a group of people in front of an old limestone brick building, the Nicodemus Township Hall. In front of the building is a flagpole and brown sign that reads "Nicodemus National Historic Site".
When the weather is pleasant, a walking tour of Nicodemus is a great way to learn about the town's fascinating history!

NPS Photo

Tips for Visiting Nicodemus

Getting Here

Nicodemus might be out of the way but is well worth the visit! We are located on U.S. Highway 24 in between Stockton and Hill City.

Parking

Street parking is free and the only method of visitor parking in Nicodemus. Nicodemus is an active community, so please be mindful of private property and do not block driveways. RVs and trucks with trailers can easily use street parking or park at the small rest area north of the Township Hall.

Hours and Seasons

Nicodemus National Historic Site is open year-round, Thursday through Monday. Our hours are 9 am to 5 pm the entire year. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. We also close for inclement weather such as heavy snow and ice storms. These closures are announced on our social media pages and our website.

You’re here! Now what?

Once you get to Nicodemus, there is plenty of history to learn and explore. In the Township Hall Visitor Center we have many exhibits for you to discover and several short films to enjoy. You can ask rangers questions and pick up any of our brochures or a Junior Ranger book. The Township Hall also contains a park store managed by our non-profit partner, the Western National Parks Association, where you can buy books and souvenirs related to Nicodemus.

There are 5 historic buildings in Nicodemus to discover. Pick up a Walking Tour brochure from the visitor center as a guide, which has a town map and brief history of all five buildings. The buildings are all within a few blocks of each other and are accessible by car, bicycle, or on foot. Like the Township Hall, visitors are welcome to explore inside the A.M.E. Church Thursday-Monday, 9 am-5 pm. The A.M.E. Church has been restored to how it looked in the 1940s and contains both historic furnishings and informational exhibits.

Are you interested in a ranger-guided tour? We do those too! If time and staffing permits, you ask a ranger about town tours or call ahead to schedule.

Visiting After Hours

When the buildings are closed, you can still grab brochures outside the Township Hall and explore Nicodemus. In addition to the Walking Tour brochure, we also offer two guided audio tours on the free NPS app. One is a guided tour of the townsite and the other is a driving tour of Nicodemus Township, based on the tour developed by the Nicodemus Historical Society.

We also invite you to learn more about Nicodemus, its history, and its significant people and places on our website.

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you in 2026!

Sepia photo of a Black man from the shoulders up. He is wearing a black suit with white shirt and black tie, and has short white hair and short-trimmed facial hair.
Reverend Daniel Hickman, date unknown

Kansas State Historical Society

Daniel Hickman: A Journey in Faith, Courage, and Community

Born into slavery in 1841 near Georgetown, Kentucky, Daniel Hickman developed an early love of learning by secretly saving scraps of paper and slowly teaching himself to read. After gaining his freedom, he married Willina Lewis. Together they raised ten children while Daniel served as a Baptist pastor.

In 1878, Daniel and Willina joined more than 150 formerly enslaved people on a journey to Nicodemus, Kansas. This new Black settlement offered hope, opportunity, and a fresh start. Arriving to find families living in dugouts on the open prairie, the Hickman’s stayed—choosing courage over fear and determination over doubt.

He filed a claim through the Homestead Act and worked tirelessly to build a sod house, farm the land, and meet the strict requirements to secure ownership. In 1887, after years of perseverance, he received his official land patent.

Beyond farming, Hickman strengthened the spiritual and social life of the community. He organized Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, helped establish additional churches in the region, and became the first Graham County Coroner, later serving as County Commissioner.

Daniel Hickman’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and faith. His commitment to family, community, and progress helped shape Nicodemus.

Learn more about Reverend Daniel Hickman and other Nicodemus settlers in the "People" section of our website!

Three Black teenage girls, dressed in 1889 fashions, smile and pose in front of a bright blue and orange patterened quilt.
Adaze, Onyinye, and Amara Nwachukwu-Udaku gave visitors a look into the lives of 1889 teachers during the 2025 Nicodemus Homecoming-Emancipation Celebration.

NPS Photo

Volunteer Corner

We were excited to see an increase in volunteers in 2025 during the 147th Emancipation Celebration! We are especially grateful to our Fort Larned NHS partners for assisting with these amazing volunteers. Our young participants brought history to life by portraying 1889 schoolteachers, and visitors loved the experience. As our volunteer program continues to grow, we welcome volunteers of all ages.

Interested in helping at Nicodemus National Historic Site? We have the perfect opportunity for you to step back in time as an extra in the filming of our 1880s town reenactment scene! Email us for more information.

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Nicodemus National Historic Site

Last updated: February 9, 2026