A sign of the times: Please come in
The first literal sign of the sisters’ welcoming attitude was completed this morning (Thursday).
Motherhouse employees Bob Kearn and Eric McDaniel dug post holes and then set the new sign that now graces the end of the driveway. The sign — which is roughly 3 feet square — reads “Nazareth Convent” across the top and “Sisters of St. Joseph” just below that. With installation completed this morning (Thursday), it now features a glass-covered display that tells visitors a little bit about the historic building, something of the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, and when the building is open to the public both Masses and for tours.
The sign also includes information about upcoming events (including the Kansas Sampler Festival the first weekend in May at City Park just across the street) and points tourists to other places they may want to visit. The information can be changed easily so it will remain up-to-date.
The idea for the informational sign came from a neighboring homeowner who said people frequently stop in his yard to ask him about the massive red brick building at the corner of 13th and Washington streets. Before, there was nothing that indicated the Motherhouse is open to the public, nor anything noting that it has been on the National Register of Historic Places for 35 years.
