Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village

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.

08/25/2026

John Burchill is here tonight presenting a Humanities Kansas program tonight. The subject is People, Places, and Politics in 1800s Kansas, sponsored by the Quivira Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association. Linda Colle, president of the Quivira Chapter, gave an update on chapter activities.

08/24/2026

Program tonight! 7:00 p.m., Ray Schulz Library at the historical society. Free to everyone.

08/18/2026

Thank you Wheatland Electric!

08/14/2026

It's been a very busy week here at the village! Things are really happening with the train project and concrete is being poured this morning. We're beginning to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
📷 Mark Mingenback

08/13/2026

The Quivira Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association will host John Burchill for a presentation and discussion of “People, Places, and Politics in 1800s Kansas,” on August 24, at 7p.m. at the Barton County Historical Society Museum, 85 S. Highway 281, Great Bend. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas and is free to attend.

Pioneer James R. Mead was a man of his times. Interested in commerce, politics and conservation, he settled in the Kansas Territory in the 1850s. Known now as one of Wichita’s founding fathers, Mead was also influential as a trails outfitter, statesman, and railroad booster. What can be learned from Mead’s influence on the state’s early development?

John Burchill is a Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at Kansas Wesleyan University. He authored the book Bullets, Badges, and Bridles – Horse Thieves and the Societies That Pursued Them. He has master’s degrees in criminal justice and from Wichita State University and in Rehabilitation Counseling from Emporia State University.

“People, Places, and Politics in the 1800s Kansas” is part of Humanities Kansas's Speakers Bureau, featuring humanities-based presentations designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

08/10/2026

A friendly reminder that Carol Jenkner and Justin Engleman will be on 1590 KVGB and 95.5 FM this morning at 11:05 a.m. with another episode of Pages in Time. The subject is UFOs, part deux. Don't miss out on this exciting topic.

08/08/2026

The train guys have been hard at work getting the track straightened and ready to be placed when the concrete work has been completed. They are invaluable to this project and we can't do it without them.

07/29/2026

In case you missed yesterday's Pages in Time episode about UFOs, here is the podcast.

Hear an episode of the Pages in Time show with Barton County Historical Society Board member Justin Engleman and Research Coordinator Carol Jenkner as they start a 2-part series on UFO sightings in Kansas. This is part 1. Pages in Time program airs every Monday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB & 95.5....

07/28/2026

A nice crowd is here soaking up the air conditioning in the Ray Schulz Research Library hearing about the American Revolution earliest battles. Bobbie and Debbie Hulse are here tonight talking about the places they visited last summer.