Open Travel Guide
History of Kansas

Kansas History & Heritage Guide 2026

The history of Kansas told through its places: sites worth the detour and the context they need.

Kansas has 10+ historical sites covered in this guide, led by Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home and Boot Hill Museum. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Kansas is the geographic heart of the United States, a state of sweeping tallgrass prairies, iconic Wild West history, world-class aerospace heritage, and dramatic chalk formations rising from the High Plains. From the rolling Flint Hills to the sunflower fields of harvest season, Kansas rewards travelers who venture beyond the interstate.

Historical sites

Places where Kansas's past comes alive.

Historic

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

Where: Topeka

Admission: Free

Historic

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Where: Abilene

Admission: $16 adult, $8 child (ages 8–15), under 8 free

Historic

Boot Hill Museum

Where: Dodge City

Admission: $20 adult, $13 child (ages 5–12)

Historic

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Where: Larned

Admission: Free

Historic

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Where: Fort Scott

Admission: Free

Historic

Nicodemus National Historic Site

Where: Nicodemus, Graham County

Admission: Free

Historic

Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site

Where: Hanover, Washington County

Admission: Free

Historic

Old Cowtown Museum

Where: Wichita

Admission: $12.75 adult, $9.75 child (ages 4–12)

Historic

Constitution Hall State Historic Site (Lecompton)

Where: Lecompton, Douglas County

Admission: Free (donations accepted)

Historic

Kansas State Capitol

Where: Topeka

Admission: Free building entry; dome tour $5 adult, $3 child

Museums

Curated collections that tell Kansas's story.

Museum

Kansas Museum of History

Hours: Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm. Closed Monday and state holidays.

Admission: $9 adult, $5 child (ages 5–18)

Museum

Combat Air Museum

Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–4:30pm, Sun noon–4:30pm

Admission: $12 adult, $8 child (ages 5–17)

Museum

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

Hours: Tue–Fri 11am–4pm, Sat–Sun 1pm–5pm. Closed Monday.

Admission: $7 adult, $4 child (ages 4–12)

Museum

Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum (Goessel)

Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm (April–October). Reduced winter hours.

Admission: $7 adult, $3 child