The Niobrara River abuts the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. (Courtesy of Jackie Augustine/Audubon of Kansas)

LINCOLN — “The Art of Storytelling” is the theme for the annual open house Sunday at the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Niobrara River north of Bassett.

The event, from 1 to 5 p.m., includes a guided driving tour of the ranch and a watermelon feed, as well as artifacts and displays on the unique lives of Harold and Lucille Hutton, who donated the 5,000-acre property to Audubon of Kansas in 2001.

Harold Hutton, a rancher and author, was best known for his writings about Bassett-area history, including about the outlaws Doc Middleton and Kid Wade.

Lucille Hutton was an artist and painter specializing in oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolor, as well as a

See Full Page