Smoky Hill Museum

Free Admission
- Tuesdays through Fridays 11 am-5:00 pm
- Saturdays 10:00 am-5:00 pm
- And by Appointment during non-regular hours.
- Closed on Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1997.

211 W Iron Ave

Salina, KS 67401

Phone 785.309.5776

Store 785.309.5775

museum@salina.org

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1997

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

We believe history is a verb. The stories and objects we collect stand as witnesses to the past and bring history alive. As one of only five accredited Kansas history museums, we share these objects and stories in dynamic and creative programming and exhibits to connect our past to the present and future of our community.

Museum Photos

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Our Beginnings

Just about 40 years ago, the Smoky Hill Museum opened to the public in Salina, Kansas, but its story starts much earlier.

The collections began in 1879 as part of the Saline County Historical Society, initiated by town founders and brothers-in-law Col. William A. Phillips and Alexander “Alex” M. Campbell, Sr. To become a member of the Society, a donation of an artifact was required.
Throughout the late 1800s, Alex’s son, Alexander “Eck” M. Campbell Jr., collected even more artifacts, which he housed in his home at 122 S. Ninth Street.
The collection grew so large that Eck and his wife, Effie Davis Campbell, moved the collection to the public library at the southwest corner of South Eighth Street and West Iron Avenue in 1928.
Many people recall the collection from when it was in the bathhouse in Oakdale Park as part of the Smoky Hill Historical Museum, from 1956 to 1985.
In 1986, the Smoky Hill Museum opened in its current location. This history museum is now operated by the City of Salina, Kansas. It received national accreditation in 1997.

Our Current Efforts

City / Private Partnership

The City of Salina, Kansas, which owns and operates the Smoky Hill Museum, works alongside the Smoky Hill Museum Friends. The Friends is a private 501c3 organization that helps promote and support the activities carried on by the Museum. This partnership allows the Museum to remain an excellent, free-admission educational institution.

Our Impact This Year

Volunteer Hours

450
Dollars Raised

11,199
Program Participants

7,086
People Reached

42,276

Allison K.

A great museum for the whole family! We were traveling from the kc area to Colorado and had to stop due to the interstate being closed. We saw the museum was open and were able to spend about 3 hours there walking around the museum. We have three kids, ages 2, 5, 7 who asked if we could go to it again on the way home. Thanks for allowing us to spend a good chunk of our day there! We will be back!