progrAMs & events
“Needles & Hooks”, Fiber Arts Club — Thursday, July 2nd, 6–8PM
Day at the Museum Camp — Thursdays in June, register with our sign-up form: FORM LINK
Cooper Barn Jams — Third Thursday of each month, 8–11PM, April–October
Songs of Hope, Streamed Choir Concert — June 26th, 6–8PM
Sunflower Summer — July 9–August 2
free art Exhibits
May 1–July 18 | SAQA, Studio Art Quilters Association — “Living, Language, Land”
July–September | Lisa Neely, Mixed Media Art
THE PRAIRIE MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY IS A 2026 BLUE STAR MUSEUM
Free admission for military personnel and their families from May 16 until September 7
The Prairie Museum of Art & History is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2026 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.
SUMMER HOURS
april - October
Monday - Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
WINTER HOURS
November - March
Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
ADMISSION
Admission is FREE for Members
Thomas Co. Residents | 50% off
Adults - $10.00 | Seniors - $7.00 | Kids 6-16 - $3.00 | Under 6 - Free
DONATIONS
Mission Statement
The Prairie Museum of Art & History/Thomas County Historical Society serves the community of Thomas County and the greater NW Kansas area as an educational organization, promoting local history, hosting visitors, groups and organizations, while enhancing the quality of life on the high plains of Kansas.
A unique destination
The Prairie Museum of Art & History is a unique institution, serving as both a repository for the Thomas County Historical Society and home to international artifacts of the Kuska Collection. The historical society connection means that part of our mission is to tell the story of this region of the High Plains, from prehistoric times to the present. The Kuska Collection, an extensive and wide-ranging collection of dolls, glass, ceramics, clothing, paintings, and much more assembled by Nellie Kuska, allows us to tell the story of collecting generally and of the unique aspects of different items in the collection specifically.
In addition, visitors are invited to tour the outdoor campus which is home to the Cooper Barn, the state’s largest barn and 8th Wonder of Kansas Architecture; a sod house; one-room school house; 1930s homestead and barn; and quaint church used by early settlers of northwest Kansas.
