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Each time you visit the Smoky Hill Museum, a new story inspires you. See what we do.

FEATURED STORIES

  • The Smoky Hill Museum will host a free Zoom presentation about Forts and Posts in Kansas During the Civil War. This presentation will take place on Thursday, August 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Click on the photo to register and receive the link.

    Posts and forts of different shapes and sizes dotted the pioneer prairie landscape offering protection. During the Civil War years – the Bleeding Kansas years – many forts protected people from each other. Travel through the pages of William Pollard’s book, across Saline County and Civil War Kansas to discover these fascinating fortresses. How many were there? Where were they? What purposes did they serve and what happened to them? Also, find out how to buy signed copies of his book. Pollard, a former Kansan, earned his MS in journalism from the University of Kansas. He’s an active historian and an award-winning author.

    The Smoky Hill Museum is a nationally accredited history museum, in the heart of downtown Salina, Kansas. Starting June 1, this FREE museum is open Tuesday-Friday 11-5 and Saturday 10-5. Also, be sure to stop by the Museum Store for a wide variety of regional and Kansas products, local artwork and gifts for all ages.

    For needed accommodations, please call Nona Miller at 309-5776 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate known disabilities. For material or speech access, please call at least 5 working days prior to the event.

  • In 1858, the story of Salina began with a group of six individuals who envisioned a community on the central plains of Kansas. This community was not only located at a natural crossroads, but also defined a new one centered at Iron and Santa Fe Avenues. This crossroads marks where Salina began. Born from a few wooden structures, downtown was once the sole destination for food, merchandise, transportation and services. More...

  • Online Resources

    While the Museum was closed, staff worked hard to provide online resources for you. Check out the following:

    • Check out past exhibits in the special Online Exhibits section.

    • Access Exhibit handouts featuring such topics as the Indian Burial Pit and the Battle of Indian Rock.

    • Like crosswords or word searches? Check out the Fun & Games page.

    • Educators can enhance their lessons with free video presentations. Check out the topics available in the Educational Lending Library.

  • Discover how we were founded and remain true to our original mission.

Welcome to the Smoky Hill Museum

The Smoky Hill Museum explores history in unexpected ways with interactive fun around every corner. It’s a big-city museum in a small package intentionally designed to make kids eager to stay longer and adults want to come back for more.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • Roy & Donice Applequist

    For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

  • For Street Fair

OUR SPONSORS