Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum

05/31/2026

This summer, Heritage Spirit Park will be designated as a Classic Cars & Coffee stop on Saturday mornings staring at 9 a.m. We are encouraging local antique car owners to come and show off your ride and gather together on Route 66.

We are working on getting mobile coffee offerings soon, but we encourage stopping by our local business and bring your own Joe 😉

City of Baxter Springs

04/27/2026

This Wednesday, April 29th we will be hosting a community meet & greet / breakfast from 5am to 7am at Bricks & Brews 16th and Military for Steve Doocy and his crew from Fox & Frientds broadcast. From 7am to 8am we will be at the Kansas Route 66 Visitor's Center and the new park at 938 Military. During this hour we will be dedicating the park "Heritage Spirit Park" with a ribbon cutting.

Steve and crew will be heading to Springfield, MO for the Kick-Off Festival for the Centennial of Route 66.

Please join us as we share Kansas Route 66 on a national stage.

Thank You,

Mary

04/04/2026

We Will Be Closed Tomorrow
Sunday, April 5th For The Easter Celebration!!

04/01/2026

I will be closing a bit early tomorrow, Thursday April 2nd. Will be joining Gary & Shelby on Living Well for the 4pm broadcast!

Sharing some if our Kansas Route 66 Events for the Centennial!!!

Mary

03/19/2026

Due to a Tourism Conference the Museum will be closed this Saturday and Sunday, March 21st and 22nd.
Thank You!

03/18/2026

2026 Kansas Route 66 Centennial Event Listing

4/4/2026
Celebrating 20 years of Pixar's Cars Join us for a fun outdoor event featuring a movie screening, car show, games, food trucks and special guest bring your family & friends for a day of nostalgia & excitement.
Luigi's Pit Stop 205 E Front Street, Galena, KS 10am - 10 pm

4/10/2026
A Shared Journey Along Route 66 by Rove Life Come be part of the Journey. Travel with the group your way… car motorcycle, RV, tent or hotel. Share the road, explore together, and connect with fellow travelers.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar

4/13/2026
Dust to Dreams: A guided Tribute Journey along Route 66 Join us for an unforgettable journey along the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar

4/14/2026
Women's Work on Route 66 Celebrated author, Cheryl Eicher Jett, shares and celebrates the women that were the backbone of Route 66. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar

4/25/2026 5/30/2026 6/13/2026 7/8/2026 9/5/2026 10/3/2026
Baxter Springs Saddle Club Monthly Showedo Baxter Springs Saddle Club Monthly Showedo, held at the Baxter Springs Saddle Club Arena. All are Welcome to see the excitement of this highly entertaining monthly rodeo competition.
1305 E. 12th Street, Baxter Springs, KS

4/30/2026
Kansas Route 66 Lantern Festival Live streaming the Celebration of Route 66 held in Springfield, MO, enjoying live music and a lantern festival with 100 lanterns set off for the 100 year celebration.
Bricks and Brews, 1531 Military Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS

4pm-10pm
5/1/2026 5/2/2026
Cowtown Days This annual celebration honors the city's rich history as the first Cowtown in Kansas, bringing together community members and visitors for a weekend filled with activities, entertainment, and historical appreciation
210 W. 10th Street, Baxter Springs, KS 6pm - 9pm 9am-5pm

5/2/2026
Movie at the Ritz Join us in the historical Ritz theatre to view the celebrated "Cars" movie.
1143 Military Avenue, Baxter Springs KS 7pm

5/2/2026
Cattle Drive Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate our Western Heritage and create lasting memories with family and friends with a small town cattle drive on Route 66.
10th & Military Ave S. to 8th & East Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS 9am

5/12/2026
Foodways on Route 66 Historian Baker T. Lindsay Baker explores Diners, Stands, and supper clubs that fed generations traveling Route 66. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar

6/3/2026
Movie on Main Bring the whole family and enjoy a Movie under the stars.
500 S. Main Street, Galena, KS Dusk

6/4/2026 6/6/2026
Galena Days Celebrates Galena's Birthday benefitting our local volunteer Fire Department, with music, food, carnival rides and community fun.
301 W. 7th Street, Galena, KS 5pm-9pm 5pm-10pm 5pm-10pm
6/5/2026
Dancing thru the Decades Lets dance through the decades together to celebrate Route 66 centennial, with DJ music, costume contest, photo booth fun, and more…
Gravy's Place, 316 S. Main Street Galena, KS 7pm-12:00am
6/6/2026
Galena Days Car Show This event promises a fun filled day for car enthusiast and families alike.
Main Street, Galena, KS 8am- 2pm
6/5/2026 6/24/2026
Centennial Caravan Associations, Authors, Artist will be traveling from California to Chicago enjoying the people, places and photo op along the Mother Road
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
6/6/2026 - 6/13/2026
Bike Across Kansas Bicycle enthusiast will be biking across Kansas in a week long adventure. https://bak.org
Baxter Springs High School 100 N. Military Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS 6/12/2026 Over Night Stay
6/8/2026 6/12/2026
Hot Rod power Tour The Hot Rod Power tour, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 , starts in Joliet Il Rt 66 Raceway and ends at Tulsa Raceway Park. https://hotrod.com
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
6/9/2026
Route 66 the First 100 Years Jim Ross and Shellee Graham share their book and other works. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
6/20/2026 - 6/28/2026
The Great Race A 9-day vintage car rally from Illinois to California using route 66 as the backdrop for this once in a lifetime experience. https://www.greatrace.com
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
6/27/2026
Big Bang Independence Day, Celebrate the 250 Birthday of America with us at Schwartz City Park. Join us for a record breaking rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance, enjoy food vendors, craft vendors, and live music with a spectacular fireworks display afterwards.
Schwartz City Park, 210 W. 13th Street, Galena, KS 10am-10pm
7/3/2026
Freedom USA, 250 Years Celebrate the spirit of our Nation for the 250 Birthday with an inspiring event honoring the diverse tapestry of Americana Music Culture.
Baxter Springs High School, 100 N. Military Avenue, Baxter Springs. KS 7:00 PM
7/3/2026
Baxter Springs Kansas 4th of July Celebration Community Independence Day Celebration, food trucks, vendors and of course an outstanding fireworks display after dark!
Kiwanis Park 900 E. 12th Street, Baxter Springs, KS 5:00 pm to Dark
7/14/2026
American Indian Perspectives Ka-Voka Jackson - Hualapia Tribe speaks of the history and story of the Native American and Route 66. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
8/7/2026 8/8/2026
Baxter Springs Saddle Club Rodeo Witness the heart- pounding action as brave cowboys & cowgirls showcase their skills in bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and more!
1305 E. 12th Street, Baxter Springs, KS 12pm-9pm
8/11/2026
Atomic History on Route 66 Katrina Parks PBS Documentarian shares the story of the Atomic history on Route 66 . This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
8/22/2026
Duck Race Get ready for a quacking good time as you watch hundreds of colorful rubber ducks race down the river, Adopt your very own duck for a chance to win fantastic prizes.
Galena Mining Museum 319 W. 7th Steet, Galena, KS
9/8/2026
Exhibiting Route 66 Jeffrey Richardson discusses varying Route 66 museums and collections. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
9/15/2026
Sunbeam Tiger Car Show Marvel at a stunning collection of Sunbeam Tigers, celebrating these classic sports cars that blend style and performance.
Cars on the Route 119 N. Main Street, Galena KS 8am-3pm
9/19/2026
Riverton Car Show The Riverton Car show showcases classic and vintage cars, attracting enthusiasts and families for a fun filled day of automotive celebration
Riverton High School 7120 SE 70th Street, Riverton, KS 10am-4pm
9/19/2026
Gearheads Curios Pin-up Contest A lively celebration of vintage aesthetic and automotive culture. Typically featuring participants dressed in retro inspired outfits, showcasing styles from 1940s to the 1960s, reflecting the charm and glamour of classic pin up culture
Gearhead Curios, 520 S. Main Street, Galena, KS 3pm-10pm
10/9/2026 10/11/2026
Columbus Days Balloon Regatta A three day celebration packed with family fun, local flavor and sky-high excitement
Hwy 160 & 20th Street, Columbus, KS 5pm-9pm 10am-9pm
10/13/2026
Route 66 and Baseball in the Tri-State Mining Region Jordan Adams with the Baxter Springs Kansas Historical Society shares the history of baseball in the Tri-State Mining Region (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma). Mickey Mantle, the Baxter Springs Blues Negro league team and Route 66. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
10/24/2026
Tri-State Halloween Museum Crawl Join the Joplin, MO, Galena, KS, Baxter Springs, KS and Miami, OK Museums for a Halloween Museum Crawl. History after hours! Costumes encouraged!
Joplin History & Mineral Museum 505 S. Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO
Galena mining & Historical Museum 319 W. 7th Street, Galena, KS
Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum 740 East Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS,
Dobson Museum & Home 110 A Street SW, Miami, OK
5pm-10pm
11/10/2026
Research Route 66 Collections Research Route 66 Panel Members share their research and collections in celebration of the November 11th anniversary of Route 66. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar
11/28/2026
Race Across Kansas This annual event celebrates the iconic Route 66 highway while promoting fitness and community engagement. This half marathon on KS Route 66 runs east to west. Riverton Kansas 7am-5pm
12/8/2026
Route 66 Revitalization and the Next 100 Years Bill Thomas with The Road Ahead, Kaisa Barthuli with the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Program, and guests share insights about the revitalization of Route 66 and what the next 100 years could look like. This is a Zoom presentation, registration is free via the Calendar of Events at www.route66centennial.org as part of the monthly National Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series.
National Event for more information go to www.route66centennial.org Calendar

This is the official National U.S. Route 66 Centennial website celebrating the history, the people and the future of the Mother Road.

02/21/2026

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 22, 2026.

Volunteer staff is unavailable for the day.
Please remember to volunteer for local nonprofits. Your time keeps the doors open.

01/23/2026

After discussing the impending weekend weather forecast, it has been decided it would be best to close the Museum this weekend, Saturday, January 24th and Sunday, January 25th.

Some extra winter tips I learned during the ice storm we had 20 years ago.
1) Keep your car fully fueled, you might need it as a warming/phone & electronics charging source.
2) If you have a gas grill make sure you have plenty of propane, it can provide a great cooking source.
3) Make sure your laundry is caught up...no power no washer/dryer. Although let's be honest, cozy sweats is what most of us will be wearing for the next few days!

And from experience: If you are using space heaters to provide extra heat, check the power cords daily, if the cord is overly warm or hot, unplug it immediately. The same goes for extension cords and power strips/surge protectors.
Yes, the cold is uncomfortable, but a house fire can be utterly devastating.

The forecast calls for dangerously cold temperatures plus snow and ice. Please, stay home, be safe and warm, if you have to get out and about, layer up and drive cautiously.

As always,

Mary

11/25/2025

We will be closed this Thursday, November 27th in celebration of Thanksgiving Day!!!

Stay Safe and enjoy your holiday celebrations!!!

10/11/2025

We Will Be Closed Tomorrow
Sunday October 12th

See You On
Tuesday, October 14th