Prairie Museum of Art and History

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Prairie Museum Minutiae
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Prairie Fair 2008
Click here for a printable flyer of this information.

Exhibits at the Prairie Museum

The Cooper Barn is one of the largest barns in Kansas and holds a wealth of Thomas County History. The cattle barn was built in 1936 and was part of the Foster Farms operation. The barn is 66 feet wide, 114 feet long and 48 feet high. It was moved to the site in 1992 and houses the exhibit "Prairie Grasses to Golden Grains: Agriculture in Northwest Kansas 1870s-1990s". The 7,000 square foot exhibit contains machinery, photographs and information documenting agriculture in the High Plains. Click on the picture for a printable document containing more information about the Cooper Barn.

Country Church

The Lone Star Presbyterian Church denotes the strong religious faith of the settlers. The charming white country church was built in 1915 north of Gem, Kansas and moved to the site in 1988.
Click on the picture for a printable document containing more information about the Country Church.

Sod House

The sod house shows the ingenuity of the homesteaders. The late 19th century dwelling exhibits furniture, clothing and other artifacts of pioneer life on the prairie. Click on the picture for a printable document containing more information about the sod house.

1930's Farmstead
The Eller House, displaying typical furniture, clothing, and objects, tells of farm life in the 1930s. In the yard is an early type of wooden blade windmills, an outhouse and the Vacin Barn. The small red barn is typical of early barns with its loft and corral and was moved to the site in 1985. Click on the picture for a printable document containing more information about the Eller House.

One-room School
The one-room Nicol School building symbolizes the cultural and social importance of education to the pioneers and represents the 94 one-room rural schools that once graced the landscape in Thomas County. Click on the picture for a printable brochure containing more information about the Nicol School.

Click on the picture for a printable document containing more information about the Driving Tour . This tour is 9 miles long. It starts and ends at the Colby Visitor Center.

Programs For Everyone

Δ Women's History Month
In 1980, the National Women's History Project initiated the movement to establish National Women's History Month. The Museum recognizes the contributions of women in the history of the High Plains and promotes Women's History Month in March with public service announcements, educational programs and speakers.

Δ Archeology Month
Kansas Archeology Month is a statewide event held in April. Packets of activities and materials are coordinated by the Professional Archeologists of Kansas. Locally, the Museum has developed programs and materials around this event.