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.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JqbHevWKw/We also have numerous photographs of that barn while under construction, the o...
09/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JqbHevWKw/

We also have numerous photographs of that barn while under construction, the original home and the famous Percheron horses. We are open Tuesday mornings 10-noon and 1-5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays on the 1st and 3rd weekends. Contact us for private tours.

08/02/2026

We are open today from 1-5pm. Come take a look around!

We lovingly call this group of regular kiddos "The popsicle gang" & "the bicycle gang." They visit us at the museum almo...
08/02/2026

We lovingly call this group of regular kiddos "The popsicle gang" & "the bicycle gang." They visit us at the museum almost every Tuesday in one of their stops around town to pick up a popsicle/ice pop. They get a popsicle & stay and visit for a bit, then they are out the door to their next stop or adventure. THIS is small town life and we're here for it!

We were blessed by our friend and volunteer Scott Baker, who got the lighting started again on our Whitewater Stock Farm...
07/31/2026

We were blessed by our friend and volunteer Scott Baker, who got the lighting started again on our Whitewater Stock Farm's model. The model is 1/48 scale replica of the historic barn, created meticulously by Hank Burchard years ago. The barn and replica train depot (created by Scott) will be in a larger train display soon. Until it is completed, enjoy this sneak peek of the barn lit up.

The museum will be closed this weekend to allow our volunteer staff to celebrate 250 years of freedom with their familie...
07/03/2026

The museum will be closed this weekend to allow our volunteer staff to celebrate 250 years of freedom with their families and friends. We will be open next weekend instead--the 2nd weekend of the month. Saturday and Sunday 1-5pm July 11th and 12th.

06/06/2026

Due to an unexpected family medical situation, the museum will not be open today on Saturday. We WILL be open tomorrow, Sunday, June 7th from 1-5 pm. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Wednesday we hosted students, counselors and planners from Camp Butler at the museum. The group is touring historical mu...
06/04/2026

Wednesday we hosted students, counselors and planners from Camp Butler at the museum. The group is touring historical museums throughout Butler County. Planner Cole Duncan happens to be a former student of both volunteers Marilyn L. and Linda P. The museum volunteers and the group had a great time on their visit.

Fire Chief Pyle and museum volunteer makes sure our flags follow required protocol. Today flags are to be flown a half m...
06/04/2026

Fire Chief Pyle and museum volunteer makes sure our flags follow required protocol. Today flags are to be flown a half mast to honor fallen Ford County firefighter and paramedic, William Cory "Liam Price, who died in the line of duty.

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.

Address

401 MAIN
Wichita, KS
67144

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+13163487006

Website

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