Celebrating Dunbar’s Legacy
June 20-June 30
Dunbar School opened in 1922 after the Salina Board of Education created a separate school for Black children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Before then, Salina schools had been integrated. Students graced its halls until 1955, when the school closed. The Dunbar Reunion Committee worked with the Museum to develop a pop-up panel exhibit about the school, its faculty and its alumni. Celebrating Dunbar’s Legacy will remain on exhibit through June in the Museum lobby.
Moments that Made US
July 1-August 29
On July 4, 2026, our nation will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A new exhibit, Moments That Made US, explores the ideals at the heart of this document. Come explore how generations of Americans have given meaning to these founding principles. Starting July 1, this exhibit spans five locations in Salina with panels provided by the Smoky Hill Museum. It will remain on exhibit through August 29.
- The Garage – Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
- Salina Arts Center – Free & Independent States
- Salina Public Library – Created Equal
- Smoky Hill Museum – We Mutually Pledge
The Temple – Consent of the Governed
Open April 24 to October 10, 2026
America turns 250 soon — how does Salina connect to the anniversary? America’s 250th is a milestone built from millions of stories. Some come from the founding era, but many more were shaped in towns, cities, and communities far from the original thirteen colonies. Our nation’s history is richer and more complex because of the people who lived, worked, dreamed, and struggled in places just like Salina.
The Smoky Hill Museum celebrates this anniversary by shining a light on the role museums play in preserving local stories in a new exhibit, America’s 250: Connecting a Nation. This exhibit invites visitors to explore how museums have grown, adapted and continue to connect us to our past. The exhibition will be on view in the Center Gallery from April 24 through October 10, 2026.
Every town has contributed to the American story through its people, industries, struggles, and triumphs. For communities like ours, the 250th anniversary is a reminder that national history is built from local experiences. By preserving these moments, museums ensure that the voices of everyday Kansans stand alongside the better‑known chapters of our nation’s past.
Museums have changed dramatically over the years, evolving from simple collections to vibrant community spaces that protect the past and help us understand our place in it. They ensure that in another 250 years, people will remember not only America’s beginnings, but the everyday lives and deep roots that shaped our shared history.
For communities like ours, the 250th anniversary is also a reminder that national history is built from local experiences. Every town has contributed to the American story through its people, industries, struggles, and triumphs. By preserving these mom
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