Nicodemus National Historic Site

Nicodemus National Historic Site Nicodemus represents the involvement of African Americans in the homesteading movement across the Great Plains. Please be considerate of other’s opinions.
(1)

It is the oldest remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River. Welcome to the official page of Nicodemus National Historic Site. We hope this will be a place where people feel comfortable sharing information and experiences about Nicodemus National Historic Site with one another. While this is an open forum, it is also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wa

ll posts clean. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here, as well as Facebook’s terms and policies. Be aware that if you do not comply, your message will be removed.

-We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit, or racist comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, threatening, hateful, or intended to defame or violate the privacy of anyone or any organization.

-Comments including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, residential addresses, or similar information will be removed.

-We do not allow comments that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.

-We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial, or non-governmental agency. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page.

-We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial, or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion.

-We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity.

-You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information provided.

-Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Nicodemus National Historic Site), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Nicodemus may be deleted. Messages intended to disrupt the functioning of the page may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S. Department of Interior.

Have you ever wanted to become a Junior Ranger?Do you want to explore, learn about, and protect Nicodemus National Histo...
08/30/2026

Have you ever wanted to become a Junior Ranger?

Do you want to explore, learn about, and protect Nicodemus National Historic Site? If so, you can become a Junior Ranger! Kids of all ages and those young at heart can do the Junior Ranger program at Nicodemus National Historic Site.

For grab a booklet at the visitor center and spend your visit exploring and enjoying the park, then return the completed booklet to the visitor center and take the Junior Ranger pledge to earn your badge!

If you can’t stop by in person, you can always download a copy from the Junior Ranger page on our website and send it in, either through the mail or email and we’ll send you a badge.

Does Nicodemus National Historic Site run on its own? Of course not, Nicodemus has a dedicated staff of park rangers, ma...
08/29/2026

Does Nicodemus National Historic Site run on its own? Of course not, Nicodemus has a dedicated staff of park rangers, maintenance workers, administrators, and other professionals that help the historic site run smoothly.

The staff at Nicodemus not only help assist visitors, give tours and programs, keep the grounds and buildings clean, create new exhibits, and help spread our message to our online community, but they do so much more.

This Saturday we’re showing our appreciation for the hardworking staff at Nicodemus and all this country’s national parks.

"Freedom came, but a lot of people were not free to experience freedom."- Nicodemus descendant Angela BatesIn 1877, when...
08/28/2026

"Freedom came, but a lot of people were not free to experience freedom."
- Nicodemus descendant Angela Bates

In 1877, when Nicodemus was founded, formerly enslaved people had been emancipated for 12 years. The memories of slavery remained and discrimination—in forms like Black Codes and outright violence—still prevented many African Americans from freely making lives for themselves and their families.

For the Black Kentuckians and Tennesseans who heard about Nicodemus, a major draw would have been the potential for freedom. Living in an all-Black town offered the opportunity to attend church and school, open businesses, own land, farm, and make entertainment without threat to their lives. This and other factors drew hundreds of Black Americans to the open prairie of western Kansas.

While the early years of Nicodemus came with great difficulty and railroads bypassed the town in the late 1880s, the settlers of Nicodemus accomplished a lot with their freedom. Over 100 Black-owned homesteads were established in Graham County by 1899, totaling over 18,000 acres. Businesses ranging from hairdressers to blacksmiths offered their services to Black and white patrons alike. School District #1 and other township schools taught scores of students for over 80 years. Churches and fraternal organizations offered comfort, connection, and entertainment, and the First Baptist Church, founded in late 1877, remains an active congregation. The Nicodemus Homecoming-Emancipation Celebration, first held in 1878, was at one point one of the largest events in western Kansas—with newspapers reporting attendance in the thousands some years—and is still a major annual event that welcomes Nicodemus descendants and all to celebrate freedom.

Though a smaller community today, Nicodemus still lives on and represents what Black Americans have accomplished with their freedom.

Building Closure Alert!Starting August 27, the visitor center at the Nicodemus Township Hall will be closed for refinish...
08/27/2026

Building Closure Alert!

Starting August 27, the visitor center at the Nicodemus Township Hall will be closed for refinishing of the floors. We expect this project to take about two weeks.

During this time, site staff will be operating from a mobile visitor center trailer in front of the Township Hall. Visitors will be able to:
- talk with park staff
- get site brochures
- access Nicodemus NHS Passport stamps
- use portable toilets outside of the Township Hall

The park store and bathrooms inside the Township Hall are included in this closure.

The A.M.E. Church will remain open and visitors can still take a self-guided tour of the site's five historic buildings or ranger-guided tour as staffing allows.

As always, our site hours will be Thursday-Monday, 9 AM - 5 PM, and site buildings are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Keep an eye on our social media for updates!

Partnerships are essential to Nicodemus National Historic Site! From individuals to organizations, partnerships share th...
08/27/2026

Partnerships are essential to Nicodemus National Historic Site! From individuals to organizations, partnerships share the story of Nicodemus across the nation. We don’t have space to mention everyone we’ve worked with over the years, but here are a few:

- The Nicodemus Historical Society
- The Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation-Celebration, LLC
- Western National Parks

This Thankful Thursday, we share our gratitude for all the individuals, agencies, schools, organizations, etc. who we have partnered with over the past 30 years and look forward to another 30 years of working together to share the special story of Nicodemus, Kansas!

“I never did see any wild animal back there. During that time you didn’t see no deers running like you do now you know....
08/26/2026

“I never did see any wild animal back there. During that time you didn’t see no deers running like you do now you know. The only thing I did see would be coyotes,” Nicodemus Descendant Florence Howard said during her oral history interview.

Coyotes are common hunters and scavengers out on the prairie. In oral histories by the Nicodemus settlers and their descendants there are many references to hunting coyotes.

“Within National Parks is room, glorious room, in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan...
08/25/2026

“Within National Parks is room, glorious room, in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan, to rest and resolve”- Enos Mills

The National Park Service turns 110 today, right in the middle of ! For parks that charge a fee, today is a fee-free day. On August 25th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act which established the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior.

Although Nicodemus National Historic Site is 80 years younger, we share the distinction with over 433 other sites and over 85 million acres that are a part of the National Park Service. Including seashores, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, and parks. All of which help tell America’s story.

There are even four other sites here in Kansas with their own rich stories to tell. Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve offer wonderful opportunities to explore

Have you gotten your steps in today?Well, it’s time to get moving for America in Motion Monday as a part of .Nicodemus ...
08/24/2026

Have you gotten your steps in today?

Well, it’s time to get moving for America in Motion Monday as a part of .

Nicodemus National Historic Site is the perfect place to walk around. There is even an audio tour available on the NPS app. To access the audio tour, open the NPS app and select Nicodemus. Then select ‘Self-Guided Tours’ and tap 'Audio Tour of the Town.'

The audio tour directs you through the town, starting at the Township Hall, passes by each of the historic buildings, and returns to Township Hall while providing you with brief descriptions of the different areas.

From not petting the fluffy cows in Yellowstone to making sure you don’t step on the alligators in the Everglades, safet...
08/23/2026

From not petting the fluffy cows in Yellowstone to making sure you don’t step on the alligators in the Everglades, safety is paramount throughout the National Park Service.

For it’s all about recreating and visiting national park areas in a safe and responsible way. One way to be safe in Nicodemus is to practice vehicle and pedestrian safety.

Nicodemus is still a living community with active residents so visitors should be aware. When driving through the streets, slow down and watch out for potholes, pedestrians, and animals like dogs and horses.

If you are walking around the town, stay to the edge of the road, use sidewalks and walkways where available, and keep watch for vehicles. Make eye contact with drivers and try to cross at intersections when possible.

It’s finally here! National Park Week is an annual celebration that encourages the public to discover the places, progra...
08/22/2026

It’s finally here! National Park Week is an annual celebration that encourages the public to discover the places, programs, experiences, and stories of the National Park Sites.

We’re kicking off , by encouraging you to explore Nicodemus National Historic Site and all its great exhibits.

You can come by the visitor center Thursday through Monday from 9am to 5pm to check out all the exhibits and artifacts and immerse yourself in the story of the Black Pioneers who created and sustained Nicodemus. You can also walk or drive around the town and see the five buildings that are part of the Historic Site.

https://www.nps.gov/nico/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

Address

304 Washington Avenue
Nicodemus, KS
67625

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17858394233

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nicodemus National Historic Site 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 Nicodemus National Historic Site:

Shortcuts

Share

Category