By Davi Stuhlsatz

 ROSE HILL – The historical society is putting together a quasquicentennial history book.

No need to Google that or run for a dictionary – that means Rose Hill is celebrating 125 years of existence in 2012.

“People came here in covered wagons,” said Janis Linot, historical society member. “We know people have stories to tell. Everybody doesn’t remember the same things or even the same version of events. History gets to be very interesting.”

The historical society is asking Rose Hill residents – old and new families, previous and present residents – to submit 300 word stories and a photo.

“That’s 300 words per household or generation,” said Linot. “So your immediate family is one submission, your parents another, and your grandparents yet another. We had to keep it to 300 words per story, though, or the book would just get too long.”

Linot said the historical society hopes to have a response rate of about 40 percent of Rose Hill families, although more would be welcome.

The society hopes people will also send a brief history and/or photos of churches, schools, former and current businesses, social and civic organizations, she said.

“Every time someone passes away, I think, ‘There goes some more history,’” said Linot. “The longer you wait to record history, the harder it gets. My mom knew a lot, and it makes me sick that I didn’t write more of her stories down before she passed away.”

Submission guidelines, a sample book and sample submissions can be obtained from the Rose Hill Historical Society, P.O. Box 36, Rose Hill, Kan. 67133 or at the museum.

The historical museum is open on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., just as Derby’s historical museum is.

More information is also available from organizer Cindy Bradford, 776-2605; Linot, 776-2360; Chris Wendt, 371-8594; Janie Barnard, 776-2835; Gloria Cox, 747-2697; Jack Carr, 776-0170 or Marion Futhey, 733-0774.

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 15, although Linot said the deadline may have to be extended. 

The book will be published through Bell Publishing.