Edwards County Historical Society Museum - Kinsley, Kansas

Edwards County Historical Society Museum - Kinsley, Kansas The Edwards County Historical Society had a dream to build a museum to preserve the pioneer heritage sign.

The theme of the museum when it was started was Pioneer Life in Edwards County, Kansas. "Rooms" were arranged with early settlers' furnishings and clothing in the building close to the Sod House in Midway Park. The museum complex is located in Midway Park in Kinsley, on the west edge of town at the junction of Highway 50 and Highway 56. Today the complex consists of a historical church, a museum w

ith an enclosed sod house, antique farm machinery, and the Midway U.S.A. Kinsley is located midway between New York and San Francisco.

If you're looking for some cool entertainment tomorrow after noon, please join us for our annual meeting/program!Learn w...
08/08/2026

If you're looking for some cool entertainment tomorrow after noon, please join us for our annual meeting/program!
Learn what ancient creatures once roamed Edwards County, you won't want to miss this interesting program. Refreshments served, free will donations appreciated.
Hope to see you there!

Kinsley is famous for many things, and this fine lady is a big part of that history.Vera Irene Milner known as "Rena" ca...
08/03/2026

Kinsley is famous for many things, and this fine lady is a big part of that history.
Vera Irene Milner known as "Rena" came to Kinsley with her parents soon after it was platted. Her first business experience was with the Edwards and Noble Store located on the south side of Main and Marsh Street as bookkeeper. As a young adult she went to Chicago to become a bookkeeper for a large lumber firm, she returned to Kinsley when her father passed away to help her mother. Soon after her return she was appointed city clerk and learned the business of government.
When S.T. Manuel resigned from the position of city manager, Miss Milner was appointed his position as well as city clerk, no one knew at the time that Kinsley had just made history of the first woman city manager in the state of Kansas! Miss Milner attended the national meeting of the League of Municipalities (at her own expense) where national recognition of Kinsley's city manager called attention.
Miss Milner was always impeccably dressed in floor length black or gray dresses with white tailored shirts. She guided the growing community many years with quiet dignity, efficiency and strength and was highly respected. She lead a very private and quiet personal life, she was self-sufficient and never married. It appeared to most that she viewed life a bit from the sidelines but was known as a kind person. She was always hospitable to visitors at her home offering tea and cookies, and it wasn't until after her death that people realized they really never knew much about the woman who had lived her life in community service, but she was greatly admired by those who did know her.
Miss Milner passed away January of 1950 at the age of 82.

Please join us for our annual meeting/program.Refreshments served, free will donations accepted.Sharing appreciated!
07/31/2026

Please join us for our annual meeting/program.
Refreshments served, free will donations accepted.
Sharing appreciated!

The summer heat is on!Can you imagine going through these hot days (and nights) before air conditioning or even electric...
07/29/2026

The summer heat is on!
Can you imagine going through these hot days (and nights) before air conditioning or even electricity?
In those days, winter was the time to harvest ice from nearby bodies of water to store in ice houses that would later be used for such hot summer days. Ice houses were dug into the ground and lined with straw and saw dust to preserve the blocks of ice.
Houses were specifically designed to maximize air flow with cross ventilation. High ceilings and doors with transom windows were popular. Large homes often had cupolas with windows to pull the air upward. Wrap around porches to block sun were also at times used for sleeping as well as sleeping porches that were screened in balconies on second floors.
People adopted schedules to avoid midday sun with strenuous chores being accomplished early morning and early evenings. Families sought refuge in cellars or basements to stay cool during the hottest times. Cooking was done in summer kitchens which were small buildings with a stove (wood burning) located away from the house.
Clothing was kept as loose and light as possible yet still be modest. handheld fans were a staple accessory.
Though this was an uncomfortable time of year, you can't miss what you never had, and I don't know about you, but I'm grateful for the modern convenience of air conditioning!
Come visit the museum, we have wonderful artifacts and air conditioning!

It would be difficult to imagine the old west without cowboy boots, could you imagine Wyatt Earp wearing something like ...
07/27/2026

It would be difficult to imagine the old west without cowboy boots, could you imagine Wyatt Earp wearing something like sneakers? đŸ˜†
You may be surprised to know that cowboy boots are a Kansas invention!
The inspiration for cowboy boots came from the 1600's- 1860's by Spanish vaquero boots, English wellington boots and foot wear from the Civil War. In 1875 Charles Hyer of Coffeyville Kansas created a boot with a high Cuban heel and narrow pointed toe that allowed feet to slide easily into stirrups. The high leather shafts protected legs from brush and weeds, also unwanted bites from dangerous varmints.
Texans were quick to follow Hyer's design and many famous boot makers such as Justin were mass producing the popular footwear.
Now thanks to a Kansas inventor, boots are not only a necessity for farmers and ranchers, but also a major fashion statement.
The boots pictured were generously donated by Jack Miller.

We hope to see you there!Sharing is appreciated!
07/25/2026

We hope to see you there!
Sharing is appreciated!

Mark your calendars!Sharing is appreciated, thank you!
07/22/2026

Mark your calendars!
Sharing is appreciated, thank you!

Where would we be today without the labor of horses that helped build America?Horses were once regarded as only beasts o...
07/20/2026

Where would we be today without the labor of horses that helped build America?
Horses were once regarded as only beasts of burden and working partners for transportation, agriculture and industry serving man in every way possible. The majority lived hard lives performing heavy labor, usually only the wealthy had them for leisure riding.
Horses were expensive to keep, they were treated with respect and valued but not generally viewed as a pet such as a cat or dog. Efforts were made to equip them with tack to keep them as comfortable as possible in order to perform their tasks more effectively such as fly nets, padded saddles and blinders to keep them calm and focused forward. Bits that go in their mouths on the other hand could be quite harsh and cause serious injury to their mouths in the 1800's, efforts were made to keep them as comfortable as possible with the gentle hand of the rider, today they have been designed to be much more comfortable and safe for the horse. A good farrier/blacksmith was invaluable to keep their hooves trimmed and proper fitting shoes to prevent injury and lameness.
Thankfully today these beautiful animals are generally viewed as friends and companions and are treated more with love and kindness.
We have a large assortment of historic riding tack here at the museum, stop in and visit!
Mark your calendar August 9th for our annual meeting/program at the City Community Room starting at 2:00. The topic is extinct mammals of the ice age in Edwards County by paleontologist Dr. Amanda Peng from FHSU!

So excited about this year's annual meeting!In 1953 a large portion of a Mammoth tusk was discovered at the Edwards Coun...
07/08/2026

So excited about this year's annual meeting!
In 1953 a large portion of a Mammoth tusk was discovered at the Edwards County Sandpit by Don Galyardt. The tusk was graciously donated to the museum and sent to the Sternberg Museum for dating and the result was that it's over a half million years old! Since this discovery, many teeth, including a large Mammoth tooth, has been found.
Please plan to attend our annual meeting and discover what prehistoric creatures once roamed (or swam) in the Edwards County area! The meeting is open to the public and free will donations are appreciated! Refreshments will be served.
The mammoth Tusk is on display at the museum so stop in and take a look!

If you think mowing is hard work, it was much more difficult in the old days!Before lawn mowers homeowners and estates u...
07/06/2026

If you think mowing is hard work, it was much more difficult in the old days!
Before lawn mowers homeowners and estates used grazing animals or hand held scythes. The first mechanical mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard in England. He was inspired by a cylindrical machine used in textile mills that trimmed the nap from velvet cloth. The lawn mower invention was very heavy and animals that were equipped with soft leather shoes were used to pull the devise. Then in 1890 the first steam powered mower was invented but was short lived due to its size and danger of running the contraption.
By 1900 versions on the reel mower that is more recognizable today was invented and widely used, still somewhat heavy, but manageable to operate even by older children. Then thankfully in 1929 the first power lawn mower was invented by Toro making a dreaded chore much more pleasant.
Today reel mowers have never completely gone away, their simplicity and no need for gasoline is becoming more appealing to homeowners. How about you? Would you use a reel mower today?
Stop by the museum and see all our interesting artifacts. And stay tuned for information on our annual upcoming meeting August 9th, you won't want to miss this year's interesting program so mark your calendars!

Address

1027 US Highway 56
Kinsley, KS
67547

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16202330247

Website

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