Cowley County Historical Society Museum

Cowley County Historical Society Museum The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is dedicated to preserving the past for the future.

08/14/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
For today’s post it is my pleasure to share a bit of a conversation I got to have with a visitor to our museum. Darbee Chard is with the State Historic Preservation Office and came by the museum Thursday to formally present the museum with the Heritage Trust Fund Grant. This is the grant program that is largely responsible for funding our work on the foundation of the kindergarten room. It was gratifying to be able to put more firmly a person behind the email address we are in regular communication with for the grant.

08/12/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
I always love when we get mystery mail. I thought I would share the experience with you. I was so excited to open this limited-edition Bob Lewis print. For those who do not know, Bob Lewis is probably the best locally known of Winfield’s history of great artists. He moved to the area to take up the position of court reporter in 1967 but recognition of him for his hobbies quickly outpaced his other professional services. His pen and ink sketches of historical Winfield buildings are well known and treasured in the Winfield Area. The level of detail he achieved is amazing and beautiful, with a clean line style that gives his work a feeling of almost being an old photograph. This piece is one of a series of limited prints of a work depicting the Cowley County National Bank Building before the entrance was lowered to street level in 1927. If you find yourself waiting in the lobby somewhere local check the walls, I would not be surprised if you find a Bob Lewis print.

It was such a hit we are bringing it back again this year!
08/11/2026

It was such a hit we are bringing it back again this year!

08/10/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
Here are the answers to our Winfield history quiz that we gave the teachers last Wednesday.
1. B. Edward C. Manning was the founder of Winfield, don’t let c fool you, the town is only named for Winfield Scott
2. Gott was inspired by the need for large metal water containers for the oil workers making the answer A. This later progressed into Gott being the world leader in insulation technology for coolers leading to their eventual sale to Rubbermaid.
3. Winfield can claim fame based on all three; being the home of Mary Ann, home of the first x-ray machine west of the Mississippi river, and being the location of the first lone gunman mass shooting in the USA. Making the answer D all of the above.
4. This answer is most appropriately D, as three buildings have been named Winfield High School, but the institution has existed in four buildings, one with a different name (The Central School), but classes have been held in many more buildings in town during periods of reconstruction.
5. I cheated a little with this question. We asked the teachers a question about Crayola, but I wanted a chance to remind you all about the Great Give so I snuck this one in. If you thought it was the anniversary of the museum’s opening that is actually in May.

08/07/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
I am switching things up this week. So if you find yourself saying “What’s That?” please enjoy the Winfield History Quiz we presented to the USD 465 staff at the Winfield Welcome on Wednesday. Feel free to discuss your thoughts and answers in the comments.

08/05/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
Today the museum had the privilege to participate in the first ever “Winfield Welcome”. This program was hosted by USD 465 and was a way for local businesses and organizations to meet the staff of the many wonderful schools of Winfield. Museum Intern Eliza and Office Manager Dusty got to share the museum mission with teachers and other staff from across the district, planting the idea for field trips, classroom visits and all kinds of other interactions. We also took the time to give a five question Winfield history pop quiz to the staff.

08/03/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
This message is a little longer and a bit more serious than some of our posts. So, chances are you will only see it if you are truly one of the many friends of Cowley County Historical Society Museum. That is on purpose, because today we are reaching out about the Great Give, a month of focused fundraising through the Legacy Foundation in partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation. This month when you give to the museum through the Great Give your money has the chance to do more. Every dollar you give go to the museum and the match by the Patterson Family Foundation helps fund both the museum and the community programs of the Legacy Foundation.
If you would like to donate online it is as simple as following the link below, but you can also make donations in person at the Legacy Foundation office in Winfield.
https://godonate.akoyago.com/legacyregionalfoundation/fund/cchms

07/31/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
This weekend is the Cowley County Fair, and an important one at that. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Cowley County Fair, so make a special effort to check it out.

07/29/2026

Hello Museum Friends,
Today we get back to our roots and take a look at a cool piece that recently came to the museum. This wedding certificate dates back to 1890, and if you have followed the museum long you know how much I love old documents and certificates. Boy does this one not disappoint, look at all that detail.

Looking for a memorable experience for a daughter or granddaughter? Look no further and support the museum in the proces...
07/27/2026

Looking for a memorable experience for a daughter or granddaughter? Look no further and support the museum in the process.

Address

1011 Mansfield
Winfield, KS
67156

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16202214811

Website

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