The Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the winners of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture Monday. More than 8,000 votes were cast in a seven-week period to determine the top eight from a slate of 24 finalists.

The top 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture in alphabetical order are:

Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls
Cooper Barn, Colby
Fromme-Birney Round Barn, Mullinville
Holy Cross Church, Pfeifer
Kansas State Capitol, Topeka
Lebold Mansion, Abilene
Ness County Bank Building, Ness City
Seelye Mansion, Abilene

Foundation director Marci Penner said, "Our state has many unique structures and we hope the focus of the last four months has helped the public see Kansas' diverse architecture with new eyes. It's exciting to announce this vote of the people. We were thrilled with the amount of participation including votes from 43 states. If people need a summer destination they would do well by visiting any one of the 24 finalists."

Only structures that were publicly accessible were eligible. The well-known landmark St. Fidelis (Cathedral of the Plains) was not in the contest because it had earlier been voted one of the overall 8 Wonders of Kansas.

The other finalists were:

Brown Mansion, Coffeyville
Chapel of the Veterans, Leavenworth
Dyche Hall, Lawrence
Fox Theatre, Hutchinson
Franklin County Courthouse, Ottawa
John Mack Bridge, Wichita
Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ulysses
Muchnic Home, Atchison
Osborne County Courthouse, Osborne
Peter Paul Loewen House, Hillsboro
Saint Joseph Church, Damar
Salina Masonic Center, Salina
Samson of the Cimarron, Seward County
Topeka High School, Topeka
Wichita Carthalite, Wichita
Windsor Hotel, Garden City

Penner said, "The Kansas Sampler Foundation is doing a series of contests featuring the eight rural culture elements. We have long used these elements to help identify what a town has to offer. The eight categories are architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people. Each element will be featured during a four-month span. Our hope is that the contests will educate the public about what Kansas has to offer and to encourage travel throughout Kansas."

The next contest will feature art. The public can make nominations for art in the month of July by submitting online nominations at 8wonders.org or sending information to 978 Arapaho Road, Inman, KS 67546.