Pat Melgares,
KSU News Coordinator
Officials at Kansas State University say plans to sell land near College Avenue and Claflin Road in Manhattan includes a project to preserve the historical significance of Bluemont College, the precursor to the university.
Marc Johnson, the Dean of Agriculture at K-State, said local citizens have expressed concern regarding the historical significance of land the university wants to sell near the corner of the two roads.
Johnson said that in view of the land’s standing as the original site
of Bluemont College, and the importance of that to both the Manhattan community
and K-State, the university will build a small area at the southeast corner
of the site, retaining the current stone monument. The site also will include
an outdoor historical description of the role of Bluemont College.
K-State officials say that walkways, stone benches and monuments at the original site will enhance public access to historical information and serve as a visitor’s attraction.
"I have been reminded of two things in the past week," Dean Johnson said. "First, we all should realize the importance of news reporting and public discussion to enrich the quality of results in implementing changes related to public property. Second, all of us should value living in a community where the citizens appreciate their history.
"The result of the week-long discussion is an opportunity to move ahead on the sale of most of the land while setting aside a small
part to give greater recognition to the historical importance of the site than it has received in the last century."
Johnson credited K-State President Jon Wefald for helping develop the
solution. Wefald said he agrees with Johnson that the university should
work to preserve the very important history of Bluemont College
"Bluemont College is a vital part of the history of Kansas State University,"
Wefald said. "I strongly recommend that a part of the land on the southeast
corner be used forever so that people will always remember that this is
land where K-State started."