Every county in Kansas is full of history, and every town in Kansas has its own little personality. Often, people don’t think about small museums to stop by while they travel, instead opting for larger and more popular destinations. Well, you don’t know what you’re missing! These underrated museums in Kansas hold so much history it would be a shame to skip them next time you’re in town.
- Last Indian Raid Museum - 258 S Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS
Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum Facebook Filled with interactive exhibits and artifacts, you’ll learn about Kansas’ first peoples, as well as see original buildings still intact from years ago.
- They Also Ran Gallery - 105 W Main St., Norton, KS
They Also Ran Gallery Facebook This gallery of “losing” candidates really tells the story of those who didn’t quite make it in the presidential run. Often we forget about these politicians, so it’s interesting to see a museum dedicated to their legacies.
- Pawnee Indian Museum - KS 266, Republic, KS
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site Facebook The Pawnee Indian Museum is centered around the remains of a village that hasn’t existed since the late 1700s. Take a look at the floor of what was once a lodge, and learn about the artifacts and imprint left behind by them.
- Hollenburg Pony Express Station - 2889 23rd Rd., Hanover, KS
Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site Facebook Many Pony Express riders made a stop at this station, run by the Hollenburgs. Here, you can learn about the life and history of both the building and the Pony Express in the area.
- Prarie Museum of Art and History - 1905 S Franklin Ave., Colby, KS
Prarie Museum of Art and History Facebook Having the ability to see for yourself what the area looked like so long ago is always an amazing feat. Check out this large barn, and learn about how life used to be for Kansans.
- National Orphan Train Complex - 300 Washington St., Concordia, KS
National Orphan Train Complex Facebook The Orphan Train Complex honors the lives of the orphans and agents who rode the trains to their final destinations. They were part of an effort to house homeless children from the East. In the years from 1854 and 1929, over 200,000 children were placed out through these trains. To think of all those homeless children is stunning.
- Museum of the Great Plains - 401 S 4th St., Leoti, KS
Museum of the Great Plains Facebook The Museum of the Great Plains is all about our ancestors, and those who settled this area of Kansas. Pictured isn’t the museum building itself, but the Washington Ames House.
- Lane County Historical Society - 333 N Main St. Dighton, KS
Lane County Historical Society/Google Full of newspapers, microfilm, and all sorts of stories from the past, this museum in Lane County can’t be missed. There’s something so amazing about history on a small level.
- Kansas Barbed Wire Museum - 120 W 1st St., La Crosse, KS
Barbed Wire Museum/Google This museum is the only one in the world dedicated to the history and evolution of barbed wire. If that’s not interesting enough, maybe seeing all the different types will be!
- Kearny County Historical Society - 111 S Buffalo St., Lakin, KS
Kearny County Historical Society Museum Facebook Kearny County’s Historical Socity has a museum full of artifacts from more recent history as well as from times when Native Americans and bison roamed free.
- Kansas Oil Museum - 383 E Central Ave., El Dorado, KS
Linda Peterson/Google The Kansas Oil Museum is a testament to the history of oil and the local area, together in one area. Stop by sometime!
While you’re out exploring and learning all about our state’s history, you should make sure you have a great restaurant to stop at. Check out this list of underrated restaurants we think you should try out sometime.
Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum Facebook
Filled with interactive exhibits and artifacts, you’ll learn about Kansas’ first peoples, as well as see original buildings still intact from years ago.
They Also Ran Gallery Facebook
This gallery of “losing” candidates really tells the story of those who didn’t quite make it in the presidential run. Often we forget about these politicians, so it’s interesting to see a museum dedicated to their legacies.
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site Facebook
The Pawnee Indian Museum is centered around the remains of a village that hasn’t existed since the late 1700s. Take a look at the floor of what was once a lodge, and learn about the artifacts and imprint left behind by them.
Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site Facebook
Many Pony Express riders made a stop at this station, run by the Hollenburgs. Here, you can learn about the life and history of both the building and the Pony Express in the area.
Prarie Museum of Art and History Facebook
Having the ability to see for yourself what the area looked like so long ago is always an amazing feat. Check out this large barn, and learn about how life used to be for Kansans.
National Orphan Train Complex Facebook
The Orphan Train Complex honors the lives of the orphans and agents who rode the trains to their final destinations. They were part of an effort to house homeless children from the East. In the years from 1854 and 1929, over 200,000 children were placed out through these trains. To think of all those homeless children is stunning.
Museum of the Great Plains Facebook
The Museum of the Great Plains is all about our ancestors, and those who settled this area of Kansas. Pictured isn’t the museum building itself, but the Washington Ames House.
Lane County Historical Society/Google
Full of newspapers, microfilm, and all sorts of stories from the past, this museum in Lane County can’t be missed. There’s something so amazing about history on a small level.
Barbed Wire Museum/Google
This museum is the only one in the world dedicated to the history and evolution of barbed wire. If that’s not interesting enough, maybe seeing all the different types will be!
Kearny County Historical Society Museum Facebook
Kearny County’s Historical Socity has a museum full of artifacts from more recent history as well as from times when Native Americans and bison roamed free.
Linda Peterson/Google
The Kansas Oil Museum is a testament to the history of oil and the local area, together in one area. Stop by sometime!
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