Lansing Historical Society and Museum

Lansing Historical Society and Museum Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Lansing Historical Society and Museum, Nonprofit Organization, 115 East Kansas Avenue/on the front lawn of what was once Kansas State Prison, Lansing, KS.
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Is dedicated to preserving the history of
Delaware Township, the City of Lansing,
Kansas State Penitentiary, including promoting historical tours and sharing local connections.

Step inside one of the most recognizable spaces inside the historic Kansas State Penitentiary. For decades, thousands of...
06/07/2026

Step inside one of the most recognizable spaces inside the historic Kansas State Penitentiary. For decades, thousands of inmates gathered in the Chow Hall for meals, announcements, and daily routines. Today, visitors can stand where they once sat and experience a space that remains remarkably unchanged.

What truly brings the Chow Hall—and the prison itself—to life are the stories shared by our guides. One recent guest wrote:

"One of the highlights was hearing Collette's firsthand stories from her 42-year career at the penitentiary. Her personal experiences caring for inmates and her honest, realistic perspective brought the history to life in a way that books and exhibits simply can't."

With tour groups limited in size, guests have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion. It's more than a tour—it's a chance to hear real stories from those who lived and worked behind the walls.

"If you're interested in history, true stories, or learning about life inside the penitentiary from someone who actually lived it, I highly recommend this tour," wrote Brittany Morgan.

kansasstatepenitentiarytours.com

DON’T LET THE FORECAST FOOL YOU.Storm clouds and gray skies only add to the atmosphere at the Historic Kansas State Peni...
06/05/2026

DON’T LET THE FORECAST FOOL YOU.

Storm clouds and gray skies only add to the atmosphere at the Historic Kansas State Penitentiary. While some are waiting to see what the weather will do, others are already securing their place behind the walls.

Sunday’s tours are still scheduled and run rain or shine. Most of the experience takes place inside the historic cellhouses and buildings.

And don’t assume you can simply show up at the last minute. Many of our guests book in advance, and tour availability can change quickly.

Don’t wait for the forecast to change—by then, the tours may already be full.

Book now at KansasStatePenitentiaryTours.com

Some of the most memorable days behind the walls begin under skies just like these.

Rain or shine, we're walking Behind the Walls. In fact, some guests prefer a little weather. The darkening skies, cool s...
06/04/2026

Rain or shine, we're walking Behind the Walls. In fact, some guests prefer a little weather. The darkening skies, cool stone cellhouses, and dramatic atmosphere make a historic prison feel even more authentic. If you're waiting for a perfect day, you might miss the perfect tour.
kansasstatepenitentiarytours.com

Members of the North American Summer Rally made a stop at the historic Kansas State Penitentiary this week, trading the ...
06/02/2026

Members of the North American Summer Rally made a stop at the historic Kansas State Penitentiary this week, trading the open road for a journey through more than 160 years of Kansas history. These Honda Gold Wing touring enthusiasts traveled from across North America to Lansing, and we're honored they chose to include the "Behind the Walls" tour as part of their visit. Safe travels, and thank you for spending part of your adventure with us!

Before Richard Hickock and Perry Smith were executed on April 14, 1965, they spent their final years at the Kansas State...
05/29/2026

Before Richard Hickock and Perry Smith were executed on April 14, 1965, they spent their final years at the Kansas State Penitentiary.

Gary McAvoy’s “And Every Word Is True”explores the investigation that led them there and asks an important question: How much of the story the public knows is fact, and how much is legend.

Signed copies of McAvoy’s book are on sale in the Museum for $21.99.

Book your tour at lansingkansashistory.com.

Unlike most prison tours in America, the historic Kansas State Penitentiary offers something few places can — the feelin...
05/26/2026

Unlike most prison tours in America, the historic Kansas State Penitentiary offers something few places can — the feeling that you are still truly inside the walls. While many former prisons have become museums disconnected from their original surroundings, the historic prison at Lansing remains surrounded on all four sides by an active correctional environment, creating an atmosphere that simply cannot be recreated. Every hallway, yard, and towering wall reminds visitors that this was once one of the most formidable maximum-security prisons in the Midwest.

Our “Behind the Walls” tours take guests through authentic prison buildings where generations of inmates and correctional officers once walked, worked, and lived. From the massive cellhouses to the historic chow hall and towering walls, this is not a movie set or amusement attraction — it is real history preserved in stone, steel, and concrete. If you are looking for one of the most unique and authentic prison tour experiences in the United States, Lansing belongs on your must-see list.

Our last tour of Memorial Day weekend ended on a high note as this group stepped onto the historic auditorium stage to “...
05/24/2026

Our last tour of Memorial Day weekend ended on a high note as this group stepped onto the historic auditorium stage to “join” Johnny Cash in concert inside the Kansas State Penitentiary. From laughter to stories and unforgettable moments, this was one incredible tour to be a part of.

What a fantastic group we had today! Visitors from near and far stepped behind the walls to experience the stories, arch...
05/24/2026

What a fantastic group we had today! Visitors from near and far stepped behind the walls to experience the stories, architecture, and history that make this place unlike anything else in Kansas.

From the towering cell houses to the stories shared by our guides, every tour brings history back to life. Thank you to everyone who spent part of their holiday weekend exploring history with us instead of heading to the lake!

While everyone else was headed to the lake for Memorial Day weekend, this group chose prison instead. And judging by the...
05/23/2026

While everyone else was headed to the lake for Memorial Day weekend, this group chose prison instead. And judging by the smiles, they made the right choice.

From the towering cell houses to the stories hidden behind the walls, these visitors experienced a side of Kansas history few ever get to see. Every holiday weekend gives people choices — we’re honored they chose to spend part of theirs exploring the historic Kansas State Penitentiary.

We had the pleasure of hosting Rear Admiral Sean R. Bailey for a Wednesday tour of the historic Kansas State Penitentiar...
05/21/2026

We had the pleasure of hosting Rear Admiral Sean R. Bailey for a Wednesday tour of the historic Kansas State Penitentiary. We are proud to recognize him as a native of Lansing and a 1986 graduate of Lansing High School.

Rear Admiral Bailey’s distinguished operational tours include Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103), VF-14, and VF-213 flying the F-14 Tomcat, as well as Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2) in the F/A-18F. He deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). He also flew combat missions on the opening nights of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ashore, Rear Admiral Bailey served as an instructor at the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron (VF-101); on the NATO staff of Allied Joint Command Lisbon in Oeiras, Portugal; and as Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic. Presently, he serves as Chief of Staff, U.S. Space Command, Colorado Springs.

He is pictured here standing in front of the cells in our historic A Cellhouse.

Address

115 East Kansas Avenue/on The Front Lawn Of What Was Once Kansas State Prison
Lansing, KS
66043

Opening Hours

1pm - 3pm

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