Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village Visit the Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village for a fascinating glimpse into the past

"The mission of the Barton County Historical Society is to preserve, exhibit, and research the history of Barton County, Kansas and provide opportunities to share our rich history with visitors and future generations."

Come learn about American Top 40 during Phil Grossardt's program on Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m.
10/08/2026

Come learn about American Top 40 during Phil Grossardt's program on Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m.

A near-capacity crowd has assembled to hear Father Reggie Urban speak about Father Valentine Sommereisen.
09/29/2026

A near-capacity crowd has assembled to hear Father Reggie Urban speak about Father Valentine Sommereisen.

Carol Jenkner and Justin Engleman will be on 1590 KVGB and 95.5 FM this morning at 11:05 talking about movie theaters. ...
09/28/2026

Carol Jenkner and Justin Engleman will be on 1590 KVGB and 95.5 FM this morning at 11:05 talking about movie theaters. Tune in and learn about the vast number of theaters in Barton County. This is the Elite Theater at 2015 Lakin Ave., Great Bend.

Don't forget about Father Reggie Urban's program tonight at 7:00 p.m. Free for members, all others $5 admission. Member...
09/28/2026

Don't forget about Father Reggie Urban's program tonight at 7:00 p.m. Free for members, all others $5 admission. Memberships available at the door.

Cars are beginning to arrive after Mother Nature's bountiful rain. The show must go on!
09/26/2026

Cars are beginning to arrive after Mother Nature's bountiful rain. The show must go on!

The fall edition of Village Crier is in your email inboxes or in the mail to your home. If you didn't receive your cop...
09/15/2026

The fall edition of Village Crier is in your email inboxes or in the mail to your home. If you didn't receive your copy, and your membership dues are paid, please call or send us a message.

Volunteers are what keeps our museum running smoothly. And it was our hardworking crew this week who planted grass aroun...
09/12/2026

Volunteers are what keeps our museum running smoothly. And it was our hardworking crew this week who planted grass around the train tracks! We can't thank Jim Loesch , Shane Boultinghouse , and Dennis Neeland enough for their dedication to the project. Larry Gale and a few others are now tasked with keeping the water running and the soil moist. If you have some extra time, stop by the museum or give a call and we can fit you into the watering schedule to ease the load. We're eagerly awaiting the building to be installed and keep the project moving forward! Stay tuned for more updates.

Put the pedal to the metal and park it at the 14th annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday,...
09/10/2026

Put the pedal to the metal and park it at the 14th annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 on the Barton County Historical Society’s grounds. Admission to the museum grounds is free and concessions will be available. The historical society will also host their annual open house during the car show, showcasing a multitude of events throughout the village property.
The car show highlights not only the automotive passions of our community but also how design approaches evolve over time. Each and every one of these meticulously cared for vehicles of yesteryear reflect the passion and dedication these owners have to their moving pieces of art. Those who wish to show their vehicles should arrive by 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Children need to be supervised, and no bicycles or pets will be allowed on the grounds.
The Hays Community Theatre will stage a mock robbery of the Santa Fe Depot at 10 and 11 a.m. The Golden Belt Model Railroad will offer slot car racing inside the transportation building. Tractor starting demonstrations will take place at noon and 2 p.m. Bread baking and butter making demonstrations will take place at 10:30 a.m. and throughout the day as dough and cream are available. Envelopes can be cancelled in the post office; ropemaking will take place in the Blacksmith Shop and old-fashioned laundry will occur outside the 1873 Dodge House.
Take a step back in time and blow some bubbles with our giant bubble wands outside the Lustron House and listen to music in the St. Paul Lutheran Church located on the grounds. The Golden Belt Wood Carvers will be in the red barn whittling the day away. In the main museum building you can learn about quilting, knitting and needlepoint, as well as hear the parlor pump organ discoursing sweet music.
The children can test their spelling skills with an old-fashioned spelling bee in the schoolhouse at 1 p.m. Be sure and stop in the gift shop and find yourself some local history books or other Kansas gifts and products.
The Barton County Historical Society is located at 85 S. Hwy. 281, just south of the Arkansas River bridge in Great Bend. Parking is located in the lot directly north of the St. Paul Lutheran Church on the museum grounds.

The Barton County Historical Society will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush...
09/04/2026

The Barton County Historical Society will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush Counties in the late 1800s. Father Reggie Urban will give the presentation on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ray Schulz Research Library at the historical village, just south of Great Bend. The program is free to historical society members and $5 for all others. Memberships to the society are available the evening of the program.

In 1876, Father Valentine Sommereisen, a German-speaking priest from France, arrived in Hays just as waves of Volga-German immigrants were settling in the region. In only 19 months, he founded eight Catholic parishes within a half-hour of Hays, spanning Ellis and Rush Counties. Join us as we explore his remarkable legacy, the growth of these early faith communities, and the enduring cultural impact of the Volga-German settlers in western Kansas.

Father Urban is a semi-retired priest of the Dodge City Diocese living in Hays, serving as pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Great Bend for several years. Both sides of his Volga-German ancestry settled in the Pfeifer area. Since living in Hays, he has learned some interesting things about the Catholic priest from France who founded parishes in Hays, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Liebenthal, Rush Center, Munjor, and Schoenchen, and he will share those facts in his program.

The Barton County Historical Society is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Rolling Sculpture Car Show and Open House, Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Car show, Depot Robber...
09/03/2026

Rolling Sculpture Car Show and Open House, Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Car show, Depot Robbery, Tractor Starting Demonstration, Food Truck, Other Events & Demonstrations. Come see what is happening at the museum.

Address

85 S US/281
Great Bend, KS
67530

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(620) 793-5125

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village:

Shortcuts

Share