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

FEATURED STORIES

  • We want to hear your feedback about the Street Fair to begin planning for 2019 and beyond.

    The Street Fair is a one-day celebration produced by Smoky Hill Museum. It takes place the fourth Saturday in September.

    The Smoky Hill Museum mission is to connect people to universally shared stories, unleashing the power of local history to engage, inspire and surprise.

  • Family and kid-friendly interactives, changing exhibits, and fun family activities are among the Museum's highlights - all free of charge.

  • September 22, 2018, from 10:30 am to 4 pm

    One-day festival of fun. This year’s parade theme is Notorious & Notable Characters of Kansas to go along with the exhibit, Notorious, that will be up in September. For more information contact museum@salina.org.

  • Etzanoa: Uncovering the Great Settlement
    Etzanoa: Uncovering the Great Settlement

    For centuries it lay buried beneath the Kansas soil, holding its secrets and waiting. It waits no more. Join Dr. Donald Blakeslee as he discusses this exciting archeological discovery. Spaniards called it the Great Settlement, while a native name for the town was Etzanoa. This ancient settlement in southern Kansas was home to more than 20,000 ancestral Wichita Native American people. Blakeslee will share why he decided to look for this city and how he gathered and deciphered clues. What’s been found and learned at this site is changing the way scientists understand Pre-Colonial Native American society in the Kansas – Oklahoma area. Blakeslee willl also share information about the initial dig and what they’ve found so far, as he works to uncover one of the largest Native American cities in North America. Blakeslee is an author and professor of archeology at Wichita State University.

    This free presentation is hosted by the Smoky Hill Museum on Thursday, September 6, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. To accommodate a larger crowd the presentation will be held at the First United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall, 122 N Eighth, just across Iron Ave from the Museum.

  • Best of the Best Finalist
    Best of the Best Finalist

    The following were Finalists in the Salina Journal's Best of the Best contest.
    Thank You for Your Votes

    Family Entertainment
    Local Tourist Attraction
    Downtown Shop
    Specialty Gift Shop
    Community Event

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

  • Meet the amazing people who work hard to make our vision a reality.

  • Special thanks go to our exhibit and case sponsors. The Museum is able to continue its strong exhibits and educational programming through their generosity. Interested in sponsoring an exhibit? Contact Kay Quinn at kay.quinn@salina.org.

  • Visitors

    10,286

  • Volunteer Hours

    1103

  • Dollars Raised

    $61962

  • Program Participants

    13,086

Welcome to the Smoky Hill Museum

Family and kid-friendly interactives, changing exhibits, and fun family activities are among the Museum's highlights - all free of charge. The Museum Store offers Kansas cards, wheat weaving, specialty-food items, toys and more.

  • For In the Trenches with Company M

  • For In the Trenches with Company M

  • For In the Trenches with Company M

  • In honor of all who serve Verna & James Fitzsimmons

    For In the Trenches with Company M

  • For In the Trenches with Company M

  • For the Industry On the Move case.

  • For the Breaking the Sod platform.

  • For the From Sod to Stone area

  • For the upcoming exhibit, Notorious

  • Bob & Mary Exline

    For the upcoming exhibit, Notorious

  • Jacob & Alisha Hemmer

    For the upcoming exhibit, Notorious

  • Morrison Ventures

    For the upcoming exhibit, Notorious

News & Notes

September 17, 2018

Two hundred thirty-one years later, the Constitution is still an active document for our country. So, how can you celebrate and honor this historic day?

September 10, 2018

If you strive to live an intentionally altruistic lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place to learn more. Here are seven ideas for random acts of kindness.

September 3, 2018

When it comes to giving back, Labor Day is the perfect chance to do something valuable for others. Here are some ideas for how you can get involved this Labor Day.

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