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List of museums in Kansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Kansas is a state full of amazing places to explore, and its museums are no exception! A museum is a special place where interesting objects from history, art, science, or culture are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. This list will help you discover some of the coolest museums in Kansas, perfect for curious kids and teens. Get ready to learn about everything from space travel and dinosaurs to old-fashioned farms and famous Kansans!

Awesome Museums to Explore

Name Location County What You'll Find There Summary
1954 All-Electric House Shawnee Johnson Historic House Step back in time to the 1950s! See a house filled with electric appliances and furniture from that era.
Ag Heritage Park Alta Vista Wabaunsee Agriculture Learn about old-time farm life with tractors, combines, tools, and household items.
Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum Atchison Atchison Biographical Visit the childhood home of the famous pilot Amelia Earhart.
Atchison County Historical Museum Atchison Atchison Local History Discover local history, including stories about Lewis and Clark, Amelia Earhart, and old railroads.
Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village Great Bend Barton Open Air Explore a village with historic buildings and learn about the area's past.
Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum Baxter Springs Cherokee Local History Dive into the history of Baxter Springs with exhibits from the past.
Big Brutus West Mineral Cherokee Industry See a giant 160-foot electric shovel used for coal mining and learn about the industry.
Big Well Museum Greensburg Kiowa History Visit a huge water well that was built to supply water for old railroads.
Boot Hill Museum Dodge City Ford Local History Experience the Old West with cowboy shows, weapons, a saloon, and the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Booth Family Hall of Athletics Lawrence Douglas Sports Located at the University of Kansas, this museum celebrates the history of Kansas sports.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Topeka Shawnee History Learn about the important court case that ended legal segregation in public schools.
Buster Keaton Museum Shawnee Johnson Biographical Discover the life and career of the famous silent film actor Buster Keaton.
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum Leavenworth Leavenworth Amusement See working carousels and learn about their history and memorabilia.
Carona Depot Complex Carona Cherokee Railroad Explore a complex with museum buildings, old depots, railroad locomotives, and signal displays.
Central States Scout Museum Larned Pawnee Scouting Check out a collection of items from Boy and Girl Scout history.
Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum Arkansas City Cowley History Learn about the exciting 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run and early pioneer life.
Clearwater Historical Society Museum Clearwater Sedgwick Local History See period rooms like a military room, school room, and an old general store.
Cloud County Historical Museum Concordia Cloud Local History Housed in a former Carnegie library, this museum shares local history.
Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum Coffeyville Montgomery Aviation Discover memorabilia from the Coffeyville Air Base and aviation history.
Columbian Theatre, Museum & Art Center Wamego Pottawatomie Art A historic theater with beautiful murals, decorative arts, and an art gallery.
Combat Air Museum Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Aviation See military aircraft, uniforms, medals, and artifacts from different wars.
Constitution Hall State Historic Site Lecompton Douglas History Learn about Kansas history before the Civil War and the fight over slavery.
Coronado Museum Liberal Seward Local History Explore local settler history, Native American artifacts, and a fun recreation of Dorothy's house from The Wizard of Oz.
Cosmosphere Hutchinson Reno Aerospace A fantastic museum with U.S. and Russian space artifacts, spacecraft, and a planetarium.
Dalton Defenders Museum Coffeyville Montgomery Local History See items from the 1892 Dalton Gang raid, operated by the Coffeyville Historical Society.
Dalton Gang Hideout and Museum Meade Meade History Visit the 1880s home of Eva Dalton Whipple, sister to the famous Dalton Gang.
Dane G. Hansen Museum Logan Phillips Art Features paintings by Kansas artists, old coins, and European and Western guns.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead Overland Park Johnson Open Air A fun farm with animals, gardens, a Kanza Indian Encampment, and a one-room schoolhouse.
Dole Institute of Politics Lawrence Douglas History Enjoy free exhibits about politics and history.
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Abilene Dickinson Biographical Learn about President Dwight D. Eisenhower at his presidential library, museum, and boyhood home.
El Quartelejo Museum Scott City Scott Local History Discover the history of Western Kansas, fossils, and local Indian and pioneer stories.
Ellis Railroad Museum Ellis Ellis Railroad See railroad memorabilia, miniature trains, and dolls.
Emmett Kelly Museum Sedan Chautauqua Biographical Learn about the life of the famous circus clown Emmett Kelly and local history.
Exploration Place Wichita Sedgwick Science A hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits for all ages.
Fick Fossil Museum Oakley Logan Natural History See fossils, folk art, and displays of Kansas wildflowers.
First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site Fort Riley Geary History Explore the history of the Kansas Territory and early rail and river travel.
Flint Hills Discovery Center Manhattan Multiple Natural History Learn about the natural history of the prairie, local history, and culture.
Fort Bissell Museum Phillipsburg Phillips Open Air Step into 1870s-1880s frontier buildings, also known as Old Fort Bissell.
Fort Harker Kanopolis Ellsworth Military Visit a mid-19th century U.S. Army fort.
Fort Hays State Historic Site Hays Ellis Military Explore a fort from the 1870s.
Fort Larned National Historic Site Larned Pawnee Military Discover mid-19th century forts from the Indian Wars period.
Fort Riley Museums Fort Riley Geary Military Includes the U.S. Cavalry Museum, 1st Infantry Division Museum, and Custer Home.
Fort Scott National Historic Site Fort Scott Bourbon Military See 20 historic structures and learn about the fort's history.
Fort Wallace Museum Wallace Wallace Local History Exhibits on antique transportation, farm equipment, railroads, and unique barbwire animal sculptures.
Fromme-Birney Round Barn Mullinville Kiowa Agriculture Visit a unique 16-sided barn with exhibits on barns and farming.
Frontier Army Museum Fort Leavenworth Leavenworth Military Learn about the history of the Frontier Army from 1804 to 1916.
Galena Mining and Historical Museum Galena Cherokee Mining See mineral specimens, mining equipment, and a model of the Grand Central Mine.
Garden of Eden Lucas Russell Art Explore a unique concrete sculpture garden and home.
Great Overland Station Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Railroad A former railroad station with artifacts, photos, local history, and model trains.
Great Plains Nature Center Wichita Sedgwick Natural History Learn about Kansas ecosystems and wildlife in this center located in Chisholm Creek Park.
Great Plains Transportation Museum Wichita Sedgwick Railway See 6 locomotives and several pieces of rolling stock.
Greyhound Hall of Fame Abilene Dickinson Hall of Fame Displays about greyhounds from ancient times to today.
Grinter Place State Historic Site Kansas City Wyandotte Historic House Visit a pioneer farm house.
Gunfighters Wax Museum Dodge City Ford Wax See wax figures of famous Old West people, located inside the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame.
Harold M. Freund American Museum of Baking Manhattan Riley Food Displays baking figurines, equipment, and memorabilia.
Haskell Cultural Center and Museum Lawrence Douglas Native American Part of Haskell Indian Nations University, this museum explores the history and culture of Native Americans in Kansas.
Heritage Center of Dickinson County Abilene Dickinson Open Air Includes a historical museum, a museum of independent telephony, a cabin, a grocery store, and a C.W. Parker Carousel.
High Plains Museum Goodland Sherman Local History Features a full-sized, automated replica of America's first patented helicopter!
Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site Hanover Washington History Visit a building that was a stop for the famous Pony Express.
Independence Historical Museum and Art Center Independence Montgomery Local History Learn about early settlers, the oil industry, Native American culture, and see period rooms.
Inman Museum Inman McPherson Open Air A complex with a museum, a 1906 telephone office, a depot, a caboose, and an 1875 homestead house.
John Brown Museum State Historic Site Osawatomie Miami History See displays and furnishings related to the abolitionist John Brown and the Civil War.
Johnson County Museum of History Shawnee Johnson Local History Explore the history and culture of Johnson County.
Kansas African American Museum Wichita Sedgwick African American Celebrates the history and culture of African Americans in Kansas.
Kansas Auto Racing Museum Chapman Dickinson Automotive Discover the history of auto racing in Kansas.
Kansas Aviation Museum Wichita Sedgwick Aviation Features over 100 aircraft and exhibits on aviation history.
Kansas Barbed Wire Museum La Crosse Rush Commodity Learn all about barbed wire and its interesting history.
Kansas Children's Discovery Center Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Children's A fun, interactive museum designed for children to learn and play.
Kansas Learning Center for Health Halstead Harvey Medical Interactive displays about the human body and health for kids and families.
Kansas Motorcycle Museum Marquette McPherson Transportation See vintage and rare motorcycles, memorabilia, and artifacts.
Kansas Museum of History Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro History Operated by the Kansas Historical Society, this museum covers all of Kansas history.
Kansas Museum of Military History Augusta Butler Military Includes model airplanes, military vehicles, uniforms, and equipment.
Kansas Oil Museum El Dorado Butler Industry Learn about the oil industry, farming, and ranching with an oil boom town complex.
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Wichita Sedgwick Sports Celebrates the history of sports and famous athletes in Kansas.
Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame Dodge City Ford Education Features photos and stories about notable teaching professionals in Kansas.
Kauffman Museum North Newton Harvey History Exhibits on prairie life, immigrant pioneers, and includes a historic farmstead.
Kaw Mission State Historic Site Council Grove Morris Native American An early mission for children of the Kaw tribe.
Keystone Gallery Oakley Logan Natural History An art gallery and fossil museum.
Kiowa County Historical Museum & Soda Fountain Greensburg Kiowa Local History Features local history and a cool soda fountain display.
Koester House Museum Marysville Marshall Historic House An 1876 house decorated with original family items.
Lanesfield School Historic Site Edgerton Johnson Education Learn about the history of rural education in Kansas.
Lawrence Arts Center Lawrence Douglas Art A center for visual and performing arts.
Legler Barn Museum Lenexa Johnson Local History A stone barn with local history exhibits and a historic depot with transportation displays.
Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum Lindsborg McPherson Local History, Open Air Includes the 1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mills and the 1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion.
Little House on the Prairie Museum Independence Montgomery Reconstructed Cabin Visit a reconstructed cabin on the site of one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's homesteads.
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fort Scott Bourbon Unsung Hero History Showcases stories of "Unsung Heroes" discovered by students.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site Olathe Johnson Historic House Experience a mid-19th century stagecoach stop and farm.
Major General Frederick Funston Home Iola Allen Biographical Visit the Victorian home of Frederick Funston, a famous general.
Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art Manhattan Riley Art Part of Kansas State University, focusing on art from Kansas and the surrounding region.
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Chanute Neosho Biographical Learn about the lives and travels of adventurers Martin and Osa Johnson.
McPherson Museum McPherson McPherson Local History Covers the history and culture of McPherson, geology, paleontology, and Native American history.
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum Medicine Lodge Barber History Features a reproduction frontier fort, museum, log cabin, and old jail.
Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum Goessel Marion Open Air Explore late 19th-century Russian Mennonite pioneer buildings and farming history.
Mid-America Air Museum Liberal Seward Aviation Features over 100 aircraft.
Mid-America All-Indian Center Wichita Sedgwick Native American Celebrates the art and culture of American Indians.
Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site Pleasanton Linn Military See exhibits about the Civil War battle that took place here.
Miners Hall Museum Franklin Crawford Mining Learn about area coal mining history.
Mound City Historic Park Mound City Linn Open Air A park with a school, depot, barn, windmill, log cabin, and historic house.
Museum at Prairiefire Overland Park Johnson Natural History Explore the natural history of Kansas, including dinosaurs, and traveling exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History.
Museum of Deaf History, Arts and Culture Olathe Johnson Art, History and Culture Learn about the history of the Kansas State School For the Deaf and Deaf culture.
Museum of the Kansas National Guard Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Military Discover the history of the Kansas National Guard.
Museum of World Treasures Wichita Sedgwick Multiple Includes exhibits on fossils, ancient Egypt, American military history, and the Old West.
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame Bonner Springs Wyandotte Agriculture Features a museum of farming, rural art, the National Poultry Museum, and a recreated rural village.
National Glass Museum Wellington Sumner Glass A museum of American-made glass, especially from the Depression era.
National Orphan Train Complex Concordia Cloud History Tells the story of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Overland Park Johnson Art Part of Johnson County Community College, featuring works by international, national, and regional artists.
Nicodemus National Historic Site Nicodemus Grant African American The only remaining western town established by African Americans after the Civil War.
Old Castle Museum Baldwin City Douglas Local History Part of Baker University, with artifacts from early Kansas and Methodist history.
Old Cowtown Museum Wichita Sedgwick Living History Experience a living history museum that recreates a 1870s mid-western cattle town.
Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Open Air A complex with a Victorian home, log cabin, a turn-of-the-20th-century town, and botanical gardens.
Oz Museum Wamego Pottawatomie Media A fun museum dedicated to all things Oz and The Wizard of Oz memorabilia.
Paradise Doll Hospital & Museum Towanda Butler Doll A unique museum focused on dolls.
Paul Boyer Museum of Animated Carvings Belleville Republic Art See amazing animated folk art carvings.
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site Republic Republic Native American See archaeological remains and exhibits of an 1820s Pawnee village.
Pony Express Barn Marysville Marshall Transportation A barn used as Home Station No. 1 on the Pony Express route.
Prairie Museum of Art and History Colby Thomas Multiple Collections of toys, dolls, glass, clothing, farm machinery, a sod house, and a 1930s farmstead.
Quayle Bible Collection Baldwin City Douglas Literary Part of Baker University, this collection features rare Bibles.
Red Barn Studio Museum Lindsborg McPherson Art The working studio of professional artist Lester Raymer.
Reno County Museum Hutchinson Reno Local History Explores the history of Reno County.
Riley County Historical Museum Manhattan Riley Local History Operated by the Riley County Historical Society, includes the Hartford House.
Rock Creek Valley Historical Society Museum Westmoreland Pottawatomie Open Air Includes a main museum, a two-story log cabin, a historic stone church, and large machinery.
Rush County Historical Society LaCrosse Rush Multiple A complex with a Post Rock Museum, a historical museum in a former depot, and a bank museum.
Salina Art Center Salina Saline Art An art center with various exhibits.
Santa Fe Trail Center Larned Pawnee Open Air Learn about local history and the famous Santa Fe Trail.
Schmidt Museum of Natural History Emporia Lyon Natural History Part of Emporia State University, with natural history exhibits.
Seelye Mansion Abilene Dickinson Historic House A beautiful 1905 25-room mansion, also includes a Patent Medicine Museum.
Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site Fairway Johnson History Learn about the mission's history and see period rooms.
Shawnee Town Shawnee Johnson Open Air Experience small-town rural life from the 1920s.
Smoky Hill Museum Salina Saline Local History Explores the history of the Smoky Hill region.
Spencer Museum of Art Lawrence Douglas Art Part of University of Kansas, featuring various art collections.
Stauth Memorial Museum Montezuma Gray Cultural Displays handicrafts and arts from around the world, along with history, art, and science exhibits.
Sternberg Museum of Natural History Hays Ellis Natural History Part of Fort Hays State University, with amazing exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, and prehistoric animals.
Stevens County Gas & Historical Museum Hugoton Stevens Open Air A complex with local history artifacts, a train depot, an 1887 schoolhouse, and other historic buildings.
Strataca Hutchinson Reno Mining Go underground into a real rock salt mine and museum, also known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum!
Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center Kansas City Wyandotte Cultural Exhibits dedicated to the cultures of Croatia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, and other countries.
They Also Ran Gallery Norton Norton History Features photographs and information about candidates who ran for U.S. President but didn't win.
Tonganoxie Community Historical Society and Museum Tonganoxie Leavenworth Open Air Includes a museum in a milk parlor, a dairy barn, a school, a church, and a fire house.
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Topeka Shawnee Art Includes the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery.
Topeka Computing Museum Topeka Shawnee Topeka Metro Technology Displays historic personal computers and electronic game systems.
Trail Days Historic Site Council Grove Morris Art, History and Culture A complex of buildings including an 1861 stone home, an art and history center, a log house, a school house, and cabins.
Ulrich Museum of Art Wichita Sedgwick Art Part of Wichita State University, featuring modern and contemporary art and outdoor sculptures.
University of Kansas Natural History Museum Lawrence Douglas Natural History Part of the University of Kansas, also known as the Dyche Museum of Natural History.
Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum Ellis Ellis Biographical Visit the boyhood home of famous automobile pioneer Walter P. Chrysler.
Wamego Historical Museum Wamego Pottawatomie Open Air Includes the Old Dutch Mill and a museum complex with a local history museum and a prairie town village.
Warkentin House Newton Harvey Historic House Explore an 1880s Victorian mansion.
Watkins Community Museum of History Lawrence Douglas Local History Operated by the Douglas County Historical Society, this museum covers local history.
Wichita Art Museum Wichita Sedgwick Art Features works by American painters, potters, sculptors, and textile weavers.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum Wichita Sedgwick Local History Explores the history of Wichita and Sedgwick County.
William Allen White House State Historic Site Emporia Lyon Biographical The home of famous newspaperman and author William Allen White, also known as Red Rocks State Historic Site.
Wilson Czech Opera House & Museum Wilson Ellsworth Local History Displays artifacts from Czech immigrant heritage.
Wonderscope Shawnee Johnson Children's An interactive children's museum.
World War II History Center El Dorado Butler History Learn about World War II on the European, Pacific, and Home Fronts.
Wyandotte County Historical Museum Bonner Springs Wyandotte Local History Explores the history of Wyandotte County.
Yesteryear Museum Salina Saline Agriculture Displays about agriculture and early rural life in the 1900s, also known as the Central Kansas Flywheels Museum.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close or change. Here are a few that are no longer open to the public:

  • Abilene Fashion Museum
  • Crawford County Historical Museum, Pittsburg, closed in 2015
  • Lebold Mansion, Abilene, became a private house in 2010
  • Museum of the Antique Fan Collectors Association, moved from Andover, Kansas to Zionsville, Indiana
  • Norman No. 1 Oil Well Museum, Neodesha
  • Scotty's Classic Car Museum, Arma, closed in 2016
  • Ted's Old Iron Farm and Museum, Columbus, closed in 2014

More to See

Find Out More

  • Travel Kansas
  • Kansas Heritage Tours
  • Kansas Travel - descriptions & photos of museums and sights in Kansas
  • Kansas Museums Association
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List of museums in Kansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.