Miners Hall Museum

05/31/2026

Stop by and see us Friday, June 5, at Mining Days in Frontenac, KS. As we celebrate our mining heritage remember that Pittsburg’s story is 150 years strong and America’s story is 250 years strong—because of people like you.
Share your family’s journey, your pride, or your memories in the Liberty Ledger and help carry that story forward.
Add Your Name. Preserve the Story.
Will You Be Part of the Story?
As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary and Pittsburg’s 150th, Miners Hall Museum has created three commemorative ledgers which will be placed in a vault at the end of 2026 to be opened in the future (think time capsule).
Each ledger offers a special opportunity to write a message and leave your name or your family’s name and/or story as part of this historic year-long celebration. These books will be preserved as a lasting record of the people who helped honor and support the preservation of our shared history. Leave a special memory about your family or your thoughts on the birthday celebrations, etc. (Samples are included in photos to get your creative juices flowing.) What will you write??
Upon signing you will receive a beautiful handcrafted keepsake card. Each commemorative card is a handcrafted work of typographic art, created by Angelica Abshire of Wyrd Hoard Letterpress & Photography, using the centuries-old letterpress method once used by printers like Benjamin Franklin. Produced on a vintage press, no two cards are exactly alike—making each one a unique tribute to our shared mining heritage.
Patriot Ledger $5 Two lines
Liberty Ledger $10 Four Lines
Legacy Ledger $25 Up to a full page
The ledgers will remain available throughout this anniversary year. They are available for signing at Miners Hall Museum, 701 S. Broadway, Franklin, KS 66735 during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday 10-4). The ledgers will also be at various local events throughout the year and will be closed on December 30, 2026 to be preserved for future generations.
This is a chance to leave your name and/or your story as part of this historic celebration and in support of the preservation of Southeast Kansas history.

05/30/2026

I don't know how I missed this and I apologize for this delay but here are the photos from A Night in Philadelphia. Thanks to Krista & Karlyn Fisher, Pittsburg Oceanus Hopkins Chapter, NSDAR for photographing the event.

05/30/2026

We’re excited to be part of Frontenac Mining Days next weekend and look forward to seeing so many old friends, meeting new ones, and celebrating the rich mining heritage that connects our communities.

Be sure to stop by the Miners Hall Museum booth in the vendor area on Friday evening from 5-8 pm, where we’ll have our 2026 Liberty Ledgers available. As we commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary and Pittsburg’s 150th Anniversary, the ledgers offer a unique opportunity to add your name, share a family story, honor a loved one, or leave a message for future generations.

Mining history isn’t just found in museums—it lives in the memories, stories, and traditions passed down through families. We would love to visit with you, hear your stories, and help preserve a small piece of our region’s remarkable heritage.

Thank you to the Frontenac Mining Days organizers for hosting this wonderful community celebration. We can’t wait to join the fun this weekend! ⛏️🇺🇸📖 Be on the lookout for our float and wave to our special volunteer who will be pulling the float!

05/30/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has shared photos from the Mining History Association Conference. We truly appreciate your kindness in helping us relive so many wonderful memories. What an amazing organization filled with passionate people who share a love for preserving mining history. We had a fantastic time with the members and are grateful for the friendships, conversations, and experiences that made this conference so special. We can't wait to share more memories from this special event!

05/30/2026

Congratulations to our Business Members, Jim and Marla Payne, on 47 years of serving our community through Payne's Inc.!

For nearly five decades, the Payne family has not only operated a successful local business but has also generously supported area schools, children, and countless community activities. Their commitment to giving back has made a lasting difference throughout Southeast Kansas.

To learn more about their remarkable story, be sure to read the article in The Morning Sun. Local newspapers play an important role in preserving the stories of the people, businesses, and organizations that make our communities special.

If you don't already subscribe, please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Morning Sun in print or online. Their coverage helps keep our communities connected and ensures that stories like this continue to be shared for future generations.

Congratulations, Jim and Marla, on this wonderful milestone and thank you for all you do for our community! 👏🎉

05/30/2026

Our dear friend "Easy Dave" (David Wallace), the dedicated volunteer who so generously preserves these wonderful programs, presentations, and special events by recording and sharing them online, has made it even easier to enjoy Miners Hall Museum content. Dave has now organized his videos so you can go directly to the Miners Hall Museum section and scroll through our programs, presentations, and events all in one place.

We are incredibly grateful for Dave's countless hours of volunteer service, his professional-quality recordings, and his commitment to preserving the stories and history of Southeast Kansas for future generations. Be sure to visit the MHM link and relive your favorite events—or catch the ones you may have missed!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

05/30/2026

Looking for something to do today? Head to Big Brutus Fest and spend the day celebrating one of Southeast Kansas' most iconic landmarks!

We encourage everyone to support our fellow stewards of history at Big Brutus, Inc., who have organized this wonderful event. While you're there, be sure to stop by the Heartlands Railroad Museum table and then consider making a visit to their museum as well.

We are fortunate to have so many organizations working together to preserve and share the rich history of our region. Have a great time at Big Brutus Fest and show some love to the museums and volunteers who help keep these stories alive for future generations!

05/30/2026

🐝 Help Protect Kansas Pollinators! 🌼
At Miners Hall Museum and Dragline Park, we believe preserving history and preserving the natural world go hand in hand. As we continue developing our Wildflower Meadow and Butterfly Garden at Dragline Park in partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Peyton’s Potting Shed, we are excited to share this volunteer opportunity.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is seeking volunteers to help survey and document bumble bees across the state as part of the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas.

Healthy pollinator populations are vital to native wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and the ecosystems that make places like Dragline Park beautiful and sustainable. We encourage anyone who enjoys nature, photography, gardening, or citizen science to consider participating.

Together, we can help preserve not only our history, but also the natural heritage that future generations will inherit. 🌻🦋🐝
For more information, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and learn how you can get involved.

🐝 Kansas needs your help!

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is looking for volunteers to help survey and document bumble bees across the state as part of the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas.

Over the past four years, Kansas volunteers have recorded more than 2,300 bumble bees and helped identify six species, including two that are considered at risk of extinction.

No experience is required. Just an interest in pollinators, conservation, and exploring Kansas' wild places. Training is available online and in person.

👉 Learn more https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/Home/Components/News/News/32/346

05/30/2026

As the National Mining History Association visits Southeast Kansas to celebrate our mining heritage remember that Pittsburg’s story is 150 years strong and America’s story is 250 years strong—because of people like you.

Share your family’s journey, your pride, or your memories in the Liberty Ledger and help carry that story forward.
Add Your Name. Preserve the Story.
Will You Be Part of the Story?

As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary and Pittsburg’s 150th, Miners Hall Museum has created three commemorative ledgers which will be placed in a vault at the end of 2026 to be opened in the future (think time capsule).

Each ledger offers a special opportunity to write a message and leave your name or your family’s name and/or story as part of this historic year-long celebration. These books will be preserved as a lasting record of the people who helped honor and support the preservation of our shared history. Leave a special memory about your family or your thoughts on the birthday celebrations, etc.

Upon signing you will receive a beautiful handcrafted keepsake card. Each commemorative card is a handcrafted work of typographic art, created by Angelica Abshire of Wyrd Hoard Letterpress & Photography, using the centuries-old letterpress method once used by printers like Benjamin Franklin. Produced on a vintage press, no two cards are exactly alike—making each one a unique tribute to our shared mining heritage.

Patriot Ledger $5 Two lines
Liberty Ledger $10 Four Lines
Legacy Ledger $25 Up to a full page

The ledgers will remain available throughout this anniversary year. They are available for signing at Miners Hall Museum, 701 S. Broadway, Franklin, KS 66735 during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday 10-4). The ledgers will also be at various local events throughout the year and will be closed on December 30, 2026 to be preserved for future generations.

This is a chance to leave your name and/or your story as part of this historic celebration and in support of the preservation of Southeast Kansas history. What will you write??