Cloud County Museum

10/07/2026

— The Cloud County Museum will continue its celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with a special open house on Saturday, October 17, at 2:00 p.m. The public is invited to join the museum for an afternoon of history, storytelling, games and a unique opportunity to experience the stories of some of America’s earliest colonists.

Throughout the year, the museum has hosted a series of programs exploring the people and stories connected to the founding and early history of the United States. The series began with programs highlighting Betsy Ross and Paul Revere, followed by programs exploring the connections between America’s colonial beginnings and descendants of those early settlers who eventually made their homes in Cloud County, including James Avery, Stephen Hopkins and Frederick Sturges.

The October 17 open house will feature a short narrative and play based on one of the museum’s treasured artifacts—a historic letter exchanged between Martha Washington and her niece, Frances Washington. Through the presentation, visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about Frances Washington and experience a personal connection to the people and families who lived during the nation's formative years.

Visitors will have an opportunity to see a fife that was played during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The fife was played by members of the Mann family and represents a remarkable connection to several generations of American history.

Following the program, visitors can tour the museum and encounter famous colonists serving as tour guides, offering an entertaining way to learn about the people who helped shape America's early history. Guests can also participate in history-themed games with prizes, making the afternoon an activity to enjoy.

The Cloud County Museum invites residents and visitors to come celebrate America's 250th anniversary by discovering the stories, people and artifacts that connect our local community to the nation's earliest history.

The open house will be held Saturday, October 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cloud County Museum, 635 Broadway, Concordia, with access through the 7th Street entrance. The program is free and open to the public.

09/16/2026

09/16/2026

Join the Cloud County Museum and our local community as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday during Fall Fest! Enjoy the fun activities, make lasting memories, and help us celebrate this special milestone in our nation’s history.

09/04/2026

The Cloud County Historical Society Museum received a Malone kayak/bicycle trailer as a donation with the intent of selling it to raise funds for the Museum. The trailer is approximately 10'9" long and 54" wide and has only been used a few times. The owner recently switched from an RV camper to a pickup with racks and a small pull-type camper, making the trailer no longer necessary. Owner used it locally at Denver and Manhattan

The Museum will use the proceeds toward the purchase of a new digital microfilm/microfiche scanner and printer. The trailer is located in the southwest corner of the Museum’s yard.

For more information or to submit your purchase offer, please call the Cloud County Museum at 785-243-2866. Sold to the best offer.

08/29/2026

One of the community’s fondest memories is hearing the steam whistle of Carlgren’s steam engine and knowing that it was on its way to participate in a local community event. Today, many sadly reminisce about those days and the excitement the engine brought, knowing that it was sold and moved to another state. Photo taken in the fall of 1966.

08/21/2026

The Cloud County Historical Society Museum is excited to welcome visitors to Cloud County for The Bigger Dig, August 28–30, 2026. This extraordinary event brings history to life through the sights, sounds, and movement of historic construction and agricultural equipment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see massive antique machines at work, including steam equipment, graders, draglines, cranes, rock crushers, prairie tractors, and other historic machinery. The event also highlights the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and hard work that helped build America's roads, farms, and communities.

For the museum, The Bigger Dig is another opportunity to showcase the importance of preserving our past. These machines represent more than old equipment—they tell the story of how earlier generations worked, built, farmed, and transformed the landscape around us.

We encourage residents and visitors to take advantage of this unique Cloud County event and experience history in action.

08/07/2026

Will you and yours be visiting Concordia for its annual Fall Fest in September?

Plan to come out for our afternoon guided tour and enjoy seeing all the new features and exhibits in our Camp Concordia Museum! Otherwise, all tours must be scheduled in advance.

https://www.cloudcountytourism.com/wwii-pow-camp-concordia/

08/07/2026

📆 🎥 🌟Save the date! 📆 🎥 🌟

Join us on September 26th @ 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM for a showing of MINERSVILLE! 📆 🎥 🌟

"MINERSVILLE" is an award-winning documentary about the impact and spirit of a 1870s lignite coal-mining ghost town in the Belleville-Concordia area (North Central Kansas). Sponsored by Cloud, Republic Community Foundations, and their Museums.

For more information on this event click the link below! 👇
https://www.browngrand.org/events/