List of museums in Kansas facts for kids

A museum is a special place where interesting objects from the past or present are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about art, science, history, or culture. In Kansas, there are many different kinds of museums, from big science centers to small historical homes. They all help us learn about the world and the amazing stories of Kansas!

Cool Museums to Explore in Kansas

Kansas is home to many exciting museums. Here are some that you might find especially fun and educational!

Step Back in Time: History Museums

Kansas has a rich history, and these museums help bring it to life.

Discovering Pioneer Life

• Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City: Ever wondered what life was like in the Wild West? This museum shows you! You can see old weapons, Victorian clothes, and learn about cowboys and gunfighters. It even has the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame!
• Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita: This is a "living history" museum, meaning it's like stepping into a real 1870s cattle town. You can see how people lived and worked long ago.
• Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence: If you've read the "Little House" books, you'll love this! It's a reconstructed cabin on the actual spot where author Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family once lived.
• Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site in Topeka: This complex has a Victorian home, a log cabin, and a recreated town from the early 1900s. It's like visiting a whole village from the past!
• Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum in Goessel: Explore buildings from the late 1800s that show how Russian Mennonite pioneers lived. You can also see how farming changed over the years.

Important Moments in History

• Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison: Learn about the famous aviator Amelia Earhart in the house where she was born.
• Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka: This museum tells the important story of how legal segregation in public schools was ended. It's a key part of American history.
• Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene: Explore the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a famous general and later a U.S. President. You can even tour his childhood home.
• Fort Larned National Historic Site in Larned: See what life was like at a U.S. Army fort during the Indian Wars in the mid-1800s.
• Fort Scott National Historic Site in Fort Scott: This site has 20 historic buildings and shows what a fort was like in the 1800s.
• Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site in Hanover: This building was a real stop for the Pony Express, which delivered mail across the country very quickly in the 1860s.
• John Brown Museum State Historic Site in Osawatomie: Learn about the Civil War and the fight against slavery through exhibits and old furnishings.
• National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia: This museum tells the touching story of the Orphan Train Movement, which helped move many children from crowded East Coast cities to new homes in the Midwest from 1854 to 1929.
• Nicodemus National Historic Site in Nicodemus: This is the only remaining western town that was founded by African Americans after the Civil War. It's a powerful story of freedom and community.
• Santa Fe Trail Center in Larned: Discover the history of the famous Santa Fe Trail and the local area.

Amazing Science and Nature Museums

Get ready to explore the wonders of the world, from space to dinosaurs!

Exploring the Cosmos and Beyond

• Cosmosphere in Hutchinson: This museum is all about space! It has real U.S. and Russian spacecraft and artifacts. You can also visit the Justice Planetarium to see the stars.
• Exploration Place in Wichita: A fantastic science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits that make learning about science fun and interactive.

Dinosaurs, Fossils, and Wildlife

• Fick Fossil Museum in Oakley: See amazing fossils, folk art, and even a replica of an old train depot.
• Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park: Learn about the natural history of Kansas, including dinosaurs! They also have cool traveling exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History.
• Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays: This museum is part of Fort Hays State University and is famous for its dinosaurs, fossils, and huge prehistoric animals like giant sea lizards and fish!
• University of Kansas Natural History Museum in Lawrence: Also known as the Dyche Museum, it's packed with exhibits about the natural world.

Art, Culture, and Unique Collections

From beautiful paintings to quirky collections, these museums offer something different.

Art and Creativity

• Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg: See the beautiful artworks of Swedish-born artist Birger Sandzén.
• Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art in Manhattan: Part of Kansas State University, this museum focuses on art from Kansas and the surrounding region.
• Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka: Located at Washburn University, this museum has over 4,000 pieces of fine art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative art.
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park: This museum, part of Johnson County Community College, shows works by artists from all over the world, the country, and the region.
• Salina Art Center in Salina: A great place to see and learn about art.
• Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence: Part of the University of Kansas, this museum has a wide range of art.
• Ulrich Museum of Art in Wichita: Also part of Wichita State University, it features modern and contemporary art, including many outdoor sculptures.
• Wichita Art Museum in Wichita: See works by American painters, potters, sculptors, and textile artists.

Cultural and Special Interest Museums

• C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth: Love carousels? This museum has working carousels and lots of memorabilia about their history.
• Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in La Crosse: Believe it or not, barbed wire has a fascinating history! This museum tells its story.
• Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka: A fun, hands-on museum designed just for kids!
• Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette: See vintage and rare motorcycles, plus lots of motorcycle memorabilia.
• Mid-America All-Indian Center in Wichita: Learn about the art and culture of American Indians from across the United States.
• Museum of World Treasures in Wichita: This museum has a huge variety of exhibits, including fossils, ancient Egypt, American military history, presidents, European royalty, and the Old West.
• Oz Museum in Wamego: If you're a fan of "The Wizard of Oz," this museum is for you! It's filled with memorabilia from the magical Land of Oz.
• Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center in Kansas City: This museum has exhibits about the cultures of several European countries, like Croatia, Ukraine, and Poland.

Transportation and Industry Museums

Learn about how people traveled and how things were made in Kansas.

• Big Brutus in West Mineral: This is a giant electric shovel, 160 feet tall, that was used for coal mining! You can also learn about local coal mining history.
• Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita: Explore the history of flight with many different aircraft on display.
• Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal: This museum has over 100 aircraft!
• Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita: See trains up close, including 6 locomotives and other railway cars.
• Strataca in Hutchinson: This is truly unique! It's an underground rock salt mine and museum, also known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. You can go deep underground to explore!

See also

• List of museums in the United States
• Nature Centers in Kansas

Resources

• Travel Kansas
• Kansas Travel - descriptions & photos of museums and sights in Kansas
• Kansas Museums Association