Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum

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Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum 100 Years of History on 10 Acres! The rich history of Butler County and El Dorado come alive at the Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum.

Visit the museum today for inspiring exhibits on the Flint Hills, the history of Kansas oil discovery, and much more. An outdoor Oil Boom Town represents the height of 1920s oil towns that sprang up overnight to provide housing for the droves of people that came to Butler County to find their fortunes in black gold. Working antique oil equipment is featured on the ten-acre grounds as well as the oldest log cabin in the county, a garage full of early 20th century automobiles, and stately representations of our beautiful state tree, the Cottonwood. Indoors, our main gallery boasts a stunning exhibition on the Flint Hills, Butler County history, and oil development. The Rolla A. Clymer Research Library serves as a valuable research tool for anyone looking for more information about family, local, or state history. A small admission is charged to see the museum. Our museum is wheelchair accessible, although some outdoor buildings are not.

Have you ever wondered what stories are hiding in your own community?That's part of what the Jessie Perry Stratford Writ...
10/20/2026

Have you ever wondered what stories are hiding in your own community?

That's part of what the Jessie Perry Stratford Writing Contest is all about.

Local history isn't just names and dates in a textbook. It's the people, places, experiences, and stories that make a community what it is. We want to give students the chance to explore those ideas and turn them into something of their own.

So grab a notebook, open a document, and start writing!

📅 Entries for this year's contest are due December 18.

We can't wait to read what Butler County students create. ✏️❤️

Then & Now: El Dorado Water DepartmentA look back at the El Dorado, Kansas Water Department in 1937 compared to 2026! Ne...
10/19/2026

Then & Now: El Dorado Water Department

A look back at the El Dorado, Kansas Water Department in 1937 compared to 2026! Nearly 90 years separate these photos, offering a glimpse into how our community and the people who keep it running have changed over time.

Local history isn’t just about the past. It’s about seeing the connections between where we’ve been and where we are today.

Do you recognize anything in these photos? We’d love to hear your memories! 📸

Meet the voices of our October 24 Voices of Butler County Café! Your story. Your art. Your voice.We’re excited to announ...
10/16/2026

Meet the voices of our October 24 Voices of Butler County Café!

Your story. Your art. Your voice.

We’re excited to announce our lineup for the next Voices of Butler County Café at the Kansas Oil Museum! This time around, we’ll be bringing together a mix of music, photography, poetry, short stories, and personal writing to celebrate the creativity and stories connected to our community.

Please help us welcome our featured participants:

✨ Mark Jarvis
✨ Cynthia Schaker
✨ Deanna Chastain
✨ Kendyl Higdon
✨ Raúl Rangel Fernández
✨ Elijah Quiring

Our very own director, Bailey, will also be sharing a little of her own story and writing during the evening!

And guess what? We still have a couple of spots available for anyone who might want to join us at the last minute! If you have a poem, story, photograph, song, or another creative piece you’ve been wanting to share, there’s still room for your voice. Send us a message to learn more!

📅 Saturday, October 24
🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM | Program begins at 6:00 PM
📍 Kansas Oil Museum | Energy Education Center
🎟️ Admission: $10 for nonmembers | $5 for museum members

Come spend an evening celebrating local creativity, hearing new stories, and connecting with the people who make Butler County special.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Purchase tickets here: https://www.kansasoilmuseum.org/shop/event

A huge thank you to Marsha Lee Todd and Beth Erickson for spending time with our homeschool group today! The kids got to...
10/16/2026

A huge thank you to Marsha Lee Todd and Beth Erickson for spending time with our homeschool group today! The kids got to meet five different dogs, each at a different stage of training and doing different jobs. It was such a fun, hands on way to learn about dogs, their abilities, how they communicate, and the important work they can do.

🏛️ Did you know the Kansas Oil Museum offers monthly Homeschool Days?

On the third Friday of each month, we welcome homeschool families for hands on learning experiences that connect history, science, creativity, and the world around us. Each month brings a new topic, new activities, and new opportunities to learn together!

We love helping homeschool families make learning an adventure. We hope to see you at the next one!

Thank you, Tricia Lee!A big thank you to Tricia Lee for joining us yesterday for our October Speaker Series and sharing ...
10/16/2026

Thank you, Tricia Lee!

A big thank you to Tricia Lee for joining us yesterday for our October Speaker Series and sharing her experience preserving and telling the stories of Butler County communities.

Through her work with the Towanda Area Historical Museum and the Andover Historical Museum, Tricia reminded us that local history is about so much more than dates, buildings, and artifacts. It’s about the people, relationships, experiences, and decisions that shape the places we call home.

Every community has stories worth saving, and we’re grateful for people like Tricia who dedicate their time to making sure those stories aren’t lost.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Commerce Bank for sponsoring our Speaker Series and helping us bring these important conversations to the community!

If you missed it, you can catch her talk here: https://www.youtube.com/live/WMD3b_gFljY?si=6nQX7yO3TRe4jgCb

THIS SATURDAY! 🎃Ready to get creative?Join us this Saturday, October 17 for our special Pumpkin Painting Art Gathering w...
10/14/2026

THIS SATURDAY! 🎃

Ready to get creative?

Join us this Saturday, October 17 for our special Pumpkin Painting Art Gathering with Ravin Young!

For just $10, you can follow along with Ravin and create this adorable pumpkin painting of your own.

No experience necessary — just bring yourself and your creativity!

📅 Saturday, October 17
🎨 $10 to participate
📍 Kansas Oil Museum

Come paint with us! ❤️

There’s always something happening at the Kansas Oil Museum!Yesterday, Bailey had the pleasure of speaking with the Mond...
10/13/2026

There’s always something happening at the Kansas Oil Museum!

Yesterday, Bailey had the pleasure of speaking with the Monday Study Club about the exciting things happening at the museum, from the Speaker Series and Wildcatters Kids’ Theatre to plans for transforming the Energy Education Center into expanded museum galleries.

During the presentation, several ladies shared that they had no idea how much was happening at the museum! Several even became members and signed up for the monthly newsletter!

It was a wonderful reminder of how important it is to share what’s happening and invite our community to be part of it!

Bailey loves speaking with community groups about the museum, nonprofit leadership, leadership experiences, and historical topics. Presentations can be tailored to fit your group’s interests.

Is your club or organization looking for a speaker? We would love to hear from you! Reach out to the Kansas Oil Museum to schedule a presentation.

A big thank you to the Monday Study Club for the warm welcome and the opportunity to share what’s happening at the museum. We’re excited about the future and grateful for everyone who wants to be part of it!

🚨 TODAY IS THE DEADLINE! 🚨Today is the final day to submit your work for the October Voices of Butler County Café Night!...
10/10/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE DEADLINE! 🚨

Today is the final day to submit your work for the October Voices of Butler County Café Night!

Have a poem? Submit it.

Have a story? Submit it.

Have artwork? Submit it.

Want to perform a piece of a script? Submit it.

Play music? We want to hear from you.

Have something completely different? Tell us about it!

We're looking for creative voices of all ages and all kinds, with one common thread: a connection to Butler County.

📅 October 24 | 6:00 PM
📍 Kansas Oil Museum

Participants will be announced October 12.
This is your last chance to be part of this month's Café Night!

🎨🎃 PUMPKIN PAINTING NIGHT!We're switching things up for October's Art Gathering!Volunteer artist Ravin Young will be lea...
10/10/2026

🎨🎃 PUMPKIN PAINTING NIGHT!

We're switching things up for October's Art Gathering!

Volunteer artist Ravin Young will be leading a fun, Paint & Sip-style class where you'll create your very own adorable pumpkin painting.

✨ $10 to participate
✨ All skill levels welcome
✨ No need to be an artist!
✨ Just come ready to have fun and get creative.

📅 Saturday, October 17
📍 Kansas Oil Museum

Grab a friend and come paint with us! 🎃🖌️

Find Your Fortune at Witches Night Out! 🔮🧙‍♀️Heading to Witches Night Out in El Dorado? Make sure to come find us! Stop ...
10/09/2026

Find Your Fortune at Witches Night Out! 🔮🧙‍♀️

Heading to Witches Night Out in El Dorado? Make sure to come find us!

Stop by the Kansas Oil Museum booth to learn about our plans to transform the Energy Education Center and expand the museum for future generations. We’ll share how you can be part of this exciting next chapter through donations, sponsorships, naming opportunities, and other ways to support the project.

And while you’re there, draw your very own historic fortune! You never know what Butler County history has in store for you.

Come say hello, learn a little local history, and help us keep our community’s stories alive. We can’t wait to see you tonight! 🛢️❤️

Address

383 E Central Avenue
El Dorado, KS
67042

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13163219333

Website

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