Towanda Area Historical Museum

Towanda Area Historical Museum The Towanda Area Historical Museum is a place for community to gather and to preserve the rich history, artifacts and stories of our past. First settler was C.

The town and township lie tucked in the pleasant valley of the Whitewater River, and take their name from the Osage Indian term "many waters." L. Chandler, a returning '49er from the California gold fields who built his cabin in 1858. Towanda township was one of the first four in the make up of Butler County--the largest in Kansas.
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In 1870, Rev. Isaac Mooney, frontier preacher and community bui

lder, platted ten acres for a townsite. The village quickly became a trade center on the Emporia-Wichita wagon road and a division point for two stage lines. Towanda gained wide fame in 1919, when giant oil gushers were drilled on rockey Shumway land at the town's eastern doorstep by Gypsy Oil Company and the Trapshooters group.

All spiffed up for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Staff has decorated inside a...
06/02/2026

All spiffed up for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Staff has decorated inside and out. Tomorrow we're hosting a tour of 30 students and their leaders. Stop in this weekend from 1-5 pm for your own tour. Be sure and ask about your free copy of the Declaration in June. (1 per household). Browse our selection of items in the gift shop--free gift wrap with purchase.

This 4th of July is America's 250th birthday! To celebrate at the museum in the month of June, we're giving away a free ...
05/27/2026

This 4th of July is America's 250th birthday! To celebrate at the museum in the month of June, we're giving away a free copy of the Declaration of Independence, 1 per household, when you tour the museum during regular open hours. Mention it to your tour guide to receive your copy while supplies last. Also, our patriotic tees are 50% off. Stop by to purchase yours before the holiday. Sizes are limited. Remember, we're open the 1st & 3rd weekends of the month 1-5 pm and every Tuesday 10am-noon.

Today the museum hosted CTE's 4th grade classes for a tour and led them through the story of Towanda. The kids were grea...
05/12/2026

Today the museum hosted CTE's 4th grade classes for a tour and led them through the story of Towanda. The kids were great, asking thoughtful questions and, hopefully, having fun while learning their town's history. Val, Marilyn and Linda hosted the event, each gal having deep personal connections to Towanda and its history. Thanks for joining us kids. Parents, if your child was interested in a more individual tour and info on any of the events or people, BRING them back in. The museum is free to the public, open the 1st and 3rd weekends in the afternoons, and every Tuesday morning 10-noon. Private tours are also available.

Last night, the CHS Class of 1969 Dinner Club met at our museum for their gathering and reminisced about school events s...
05/05/2026

Last night, the CHS Class of 1969 Dinner Club met at our museum for their gathering and reminisced about school events such as the Bluestem Classic in 1969 (pictures below)
Also shared by a classmate was an article from the 1992 CHS newspaper Circular about her mother's retirement. Mrs. Ellen Boyer served as CHS librarian from its opening until her retirement.

Recently we located this article about AG Pyle in our collection of Western Butler County Times while helping a patron l...
05/02/2026

Recently we located this article about AG Pyle in our collection of Western Butler County Times while helping a patron look for another article. AG's grandfather Albert settled outside of Towanda in 1895 and his father Louis Alvin and mother Mary came from Rosalia a few years later. This article was published in June of 1960. Sadly, AG would pass away in December of that same year, but the business passed to his son Tom G. Pyle.

One of our outdoor projects has been cleaning up the area we intend for a blacksmith shop. Plans are being made to resto...
05/02/2026

One of our outdoor projects has been cleaning up the area we intend for a blacksmith shop. Plans are being made to restore the items and host live demonstrations for events.
Sadly, someone took the anvil for themselves recently. The anvil had been donated by a local family also. (We would really like to have it returned.)

05/02/2026

News Update From The Museum . I would like to let our supporters know that we are very much engaged with the community and continue to research, explore, and present the Story of Towanda and it's neighbors . We continue to save historical information to build a formidable resource center that will help those looking for information in their own family tree . Despite a board change, we are moving forward with our fine team. It is an exciting time to be a part of our new displays and building improvements. We look forward to sharing them with you. Our team consists of: Val Hind President, Linda Pyle Vice President, Marilyn Luszczek Secretary, Andy Newbry Treasurer, Michelle Newbry, Member, T.C. Pyle and Roger Meade volunteers. Thank you and hope to see you in the future -- Val Hind.

April 26, 2015 was the day that family, friends, and former students of Mr. Bill Williams, long-time Circle Art teacher,...
04/26/2026

April 26, 2015 was the day that family, friends, and former students of Mr. Bill Williams, long-time Circle Art teacher, came together to replace the saved tiles along the seams of the moved mural. The mural was designed and created by Bill and his students in 1975 in the original CHS. Each individual tile was cut, fired and glazed by his art students before being put into the design. The tile mosaic is the only mural created by Bill and his students still in existence and once again has become a familiar photo shoot background in the new high school.

Prepping for a refresh and some maintenance to the outside of our beautiful building. Work is being done both inside and...
04/23/2026

Prepping for a refresh and some maintenance to the outside of our beautiful building. Work is being done both inside and outside. The interactive 1982 tornado exhibit is nearly full completion, an expansion of our Native American exhibit has begun, and expanded information through QR codes are being added.
Stop by for tours Tuesday mornings 10-noon or the 1st and 3rd weekends 1-5pm beginning in May.

This sounds very interesting.
04/15/2026

This sounds very interesting.

Address

401 MAIN
Wichita, KS
67144

Opening Hours

Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13163487006

Website

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