Museum Guide News

Le Compton, KS is the political birthplace of the American Civil War – Learn more about this area through the Le Compton Historical Society by visiting our two museums, Constitution Hall, Lane University, plus other historic sites, restaurants and shops. A visit to Lecompton, KS the “Civil War Birthplace – Where Slavery Began To Die”, will take you to the roots of America’s Civil War. Lecompton, Territorial Capitol of Kansas from 1855 to 1861, is located just an hour west of Kansas City on I-70 between Lawrence and Topeka, KS.  The Lecompton area encompasses many sites that are part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. You can begin with a tour of Constitution Hall: a National Landmark, Kansas Historic Site, and finalist as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. This 2-story white frame building was built in 1856 and was the site of the writing of the famous Lecompton Constitution which would have admitted Kansas as a Southern state. The rejection of this document split the Democratic Party and led to the election of President Lincoln. The name “Lecompton” was used 51 times during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The 30 minute visit will include displays of Territorial Kansas and its impact on the history of the United States and the Civil War. Then visit the Territorial Capital Museum, a National Register Site. Construction of the building was begun with an appropriation of $50,000 from the federal government to be the capitol of Kansas and later completed as Lane University. The parents of President Eisenhower met and were married here while students in 1884-85. The museum contains 3 floors of Civil War and Victorian artifacts.  About an hour. Visitors may also visit Territorial Democratic Headquarters, located overlooking the Kansas River. Bald Eagles often may be seen at this location. 30 minutes. We have a walking (or driving) tour that will show you all of the historic sites in Lecompton! And this Winter come a enjoy our beautiful Christmas Display from Novemebr 1st - January 1st! We welcome you to check us out online and explore all that Le Compton Historical Society is all about! https://lecomptonkansas.com/  

The Crossroads Museum, founded by Houston Mitchell and Hamilton Mask in 1854, in Corinth, Mississippi, was once billed as the Crossroads of the South because of the importance the city’s railroads played during the Civil War. Those two rail lines which crossed over each other at city center, made Corinth one of the most strategic transportation hubs fought over by both the Union and Confederate armies. Today the Crossroads Museum and Historic Corinth Depot sits only a few feet from railroad tracks that remain busy with frequent traffic from freight trains. In the front courtyard sits a Civil War canon used during the Battle of Shiloh. Exhibits In addition to railroad and Civil War history, the museum is home to thousands of artifacts detailing the city’s rich history in both cultural and industrial pursuits. Exhibits pay homage to aviation pioneer Roscoe Turner, baseball star Don Blasingame, NFL great Jackie Simpson, a Rotary Club’s impact on the community and a Southern delicacy known as the hot tamale. ​This year check out our “Green Market Days.” Voted Best Small Event by the Mississippi Tourism Association! The Green Market (free to the public) hosts an eclectic mix of local and regional artists, farmers, gardeners, and craftsmen who sell their hand crafted and home-made goods in an open-air, grassroots setting. Grab a snack at one of the food trucks and check out the local entertainment. As the banner fundraiser for the non-profit Crossroads Museum, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Our goal is to encourage folks to buy local and provide a place for everyone to gather and share ideas. https://www.corinthgreenmarket.net/ ​The Green Market 2025 dates are: Saturday June 7th, Saturday September 6th, Saturday October 4th, Saturday November 1st, and Friday December 5th. For more information on the Crossroads Museum and our Green Market events check out our website: https://www.crossroadsmuseum.com/  Crossroads Museum, 221 N. Fillmore St. Corinth, MS (662-287-3120)  

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association main mission is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first refuge for birds of prey, was founded in response to the mass killing of hawks in the early 20th century. In the 1930s, conservationist Richard Pough documented the shooting of migrating hawks on a Pennsylvania mountain, capturing images that caught the attention of activist Rosalie Edge. In 1934, Edge leased the land, hired wardens Maurice and Irma Broun to guard the trails and lookout, and opened it to the public. She later purchased the property and established Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a nonprofit in 1938, effectively ending the slaughter and creating a safe haven for raptors. While stationed at the lookout, Maurice began tallying the raptors that migrated past the lookout, starting the first official hawk count in the world. Today, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has since grown to 2,600 acres, with over 60,000 visitors per year and more than 9,000 members that keep the Sanctuary’s mission alive. On- and off-site, HMS helps to educate through lectures, workshops, programs and events, while also offering access to its 8+ miles of hiking trails for firsthand learning and observation. For over 90 years, visitors have been able to immerse themselves and experience raptors in this native habitat. Hawk Mountain uses a local-to-global approach in conservation, seeking to educate the public and conserve raptors in the immediate area as well as across the country and the world. Through its extensive trainee programs, educators and conservationists learn from qualified, dedicated scientists and educators the best methods for research and outreach. By taking on these trainees, the Sanctuary has already helped further conservation programs in Africa, Central and South America, the Arctic, and more. In places like Batumi in the Republic of Georgia, our traineeship graduates have helped establish locations with a similar origin story to ours exchange damaging raptor hunting for eco-tourism. Our mission soars forward thanks to generous support via visit, membership, or donation, and Hawk Mountain can continue to be a leader in the global wildlife conservation movement. Come and visit us online and learn more about all we are and have to offer!  https://www.hawkmountain.org/      

Come learn about the “Big Brutus”! The largest electric shovel in the world — it’s a testament to the hard work and determination of the American mining industry. Big Brutus Museum offers visitors a unique insight into the history of mining and the fascinating technology behind it. Constructed in 1962 by the Bucyrus Erie company for the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company, Big Brutus served as a testament to human ingenuity and hard work. This colossal machine operated for over a decade, dramatically increasing the efficiency of coal mining in the region before retiring in 1974. However, its retirement marked a new beginning. In 1985, it was dedicated as a museum and memorial, signifying its enduring legacy. In September 1987, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the tenth such designation since 1971. Adding to its accolades, Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, further cementing its significance in American industrial history. Big Brutus, in West Mineral, Kansas stands 16 stories tall and weighs 11 million pounds, was a marvel of its time. It represented the peak of mining technology during its era. Big Brutus revolutionized the efficiency and scale of coal mining. Its maximum speed of .22 MPH and cost of $6.5 million in 1962 reflected the enormous investment in industrial machinery that defined the mid-20th century. However, there’s more to Big Brutus than cold steel and long shadows falling across the Mined Land Wildlife Area. The true value of this machine lies in its representation of an era of hard work, determination, and progress. Camping is also available at Big Brutus, call for reservations, 620-827-6177 for more information. We offer primitive camping and space for self-contained RV’s, as well as ten water/electrical hook-ups and a dump station.  Come visit our rustic museum and gift shop in West Mineral, KS. It is the perfect place to learn about the history and engineering of the Big Brutus mining shovel and take home a souvenir to remember your visit. Our facilities include comfort facilities with hot showers, picnic tables, and a shelter for gatherings of all kinds. We look forward to welcoming soon!  https://bigbrutus.org/

Here in Lubbock, we have two amazing museums that showcase aspects of the City’s unique history: the Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum. The Buddy Holly Center preserves and promotes the legacy of Buddy Holly and the music of West Texas, as well as provides exhibitions on contemporary visual arts and music for the purpose of educating and entertaining the public. Exhibitions, tours, concerts, classes and gallery talks are designed to cultivate an atmosphere where art and music are celebrated. The Buddy Holly Gallery features a permanent exhibit on the life and music of the Lubbock native and West Texas icon. Artifacts include Buddy’s Fender Stratocaster guitar and his famed horn-rimmed glasses, along with items from his youth and career. The Silent Wings Museum is located six miles north of the Buddy Holly Center and is adjacent to the Preston Smith International Airport. It is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving the history of the WWII military glider program. The museum is home to one of the few accurately and completely restored CG-4A gliders left in the world. The exhibits focus on the airborne operations in which gliders were used, the training of the glider pilots and the technical history of the gliders themselves. The Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors are welcome to check out our websites for the most up-to-date information on admission prices, special events and holiday hours. https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center 806-775-3560  https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/silent-wings-museum 806-775-3049

In WHITTIER, AK, an important part of Alaskan history is now back in Alaska. The Prince William Sound Museum in Whittier, AK has accepted a 1939 Japanese machine gun — called a Nambu — used by Japanese military forces in the World War II Battle of Attu along the Aleutian Islands. Museum Director Ted Spencer said having the gun displayed at the military museum was a lifelong dream, but getting it there was quite a journey. It started with Lt. Colonel William Lucas, who led the charge to recapture Attu from the Japanese in 1943, earning a silver star in the process. The battle itself was bloody; the museum has the names of more than 500 American soldiers who died in the only World War II land battle to be fought on the North American continent. The Americans prevailed and the Japanese retreated, leaving some of their weapons behind. That, Spencer said, was how Lucas got the gun. It went with him to his home in Virginia where it stayed in a closet for nearly 80 years until it was eventually passed down to a granddaughter. “So, she contacted us and said, ‘Hey, would you like to have this gun for display?’ And of course, it was a big dream for me to have something from the battle of Attu,” Spencer said. But there were complications; because the machine gun had never been registered with the federal government, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wanted to melt it down. Elaina Spraker, a staffer with Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office, worked to convince the agency the gun was a historic relic. It eventually agreed to transfer ownership to the City of Whittier. Sullivan recently toured the Whittier Museum, seeing the gun for the first time in person. “To be able to have an original machine gun, [a] Japanese machine gun that was in that battle, you know we lost a lot of American service members,” Sullivan said. “To have that as a remembrance of the service and sacrifice — which is really what this museum is all about — it’s really powerful.” Here is a video link to more information on this Japanese Machine Gun - https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/08/14/wwii-japanese-machine-gun-battle-attu-is-returned-alaska/ Spencer said he hopes the gun will shed new light on a battle that many Americans are unfamiliar with. He called it an important piece of history in which Alaska played a vital role. To view and learn more about this extraordinary Japanese machine gun and other historic WWII exhibits and the role Whittier, AK played in the war, come visit the Prince William sound Museum and check us out online! https://www.pwsmuseum.org/  

The French Lick West Baden Museum, was established in 2007 for French Lick's 150th birthday! The museum began retelling the stories of our incredible towns as a pop-up museum. In 2011, we returned and in 2014 our current location was placed in the beautifully restored Dickason Building in downtown French Lick. Today, we continue to tell the incredible histories of our towns through impressive exhibits, interactive experiences, and first-person stories.  We feature two exhibits: The CASINO EXHIBIT- We were Vegas before there was a Vegas… despite the fact that gambling in Indiana was illegal. The Springs Valley boasted several documented casinos from the 1860's until 1949 when the state stopped looking the other way. You’ll see relics from those old casinos and learn about some of the characters who ran them. The CROSS EXHIBIT- Local artists Henry and Ferdinand Cross made and sold their work out of a place known as Cross Cave. Henry was a painter and Ferdinand was a stone carver. The Cross Brothers moved to southern Indiana in the mid-1800's and would gain national acclaim.  We have a display of Henry’s magnificent paintings and Ferdinand's spectacular Cross columns and fireplace; vivid examples of what Ferdinand could do with a chunk of raw limestone, working in a cave. And of course, you can’t come to French Lick and not know about LARRY BIRD! One of the greatest to play the game and is a home town boy.  Larry Bird, "The Hick From French Lick", starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. Over the course of his 13-year Hall of Fame career, the sharpshooting forward led the Celtics to three NBA titles and claimed three MVP awards. Visit us and discover how he got started. Come see our recent exhibit for limited time - When Governors Met in the Valley. Stories and artifacts from 1923 West Baden Springs Hotel, 1931 and 1971 French Lick Springs Hotel Governors Conventions.  We also are the Home of The World's Largest Circus Diorama!   So, we look forward to your visit, and to stepping back into history with us! https://www.flwbmuseum.com/  

The Pioneer Auto Show is the foremost family-friendly roadside attraction located off of I-90 and US-83 in Murdo, South Dakota. We are open 11 months out of the year, our unbeatable admission prices that allow you to explore our immense collection of antique cars, rare collectibles, precious antiques, tractors, motorcycles, and more. Come experience the most famous car museum in South Dakota! The Pioneer Auto Show was started in 1954 by AJ ‘Dick’ Geisler and his family. Since then, the Museum and Dick have been a single thought in the minds of the thousands of antique and classic car enthusiasts who have visited, and met the man with the ever-present cigar. Amassed over nearly 70 years, Pioneer Auto Show boasts the largest collection of classic cars in South Dakota in our antique car museum. From one-of-a-kind-rarities to familiar classic vehicles like the General Lee from the 60’s classic “Dukes of Hazzard,” (the last in existence). Pioneer Auto Show attracts visitors far and wide to peruse our spectacular display of automotive history, with rare cars on display from as long ago as 1903! Included with the admission is our self-guided Car Collection Tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience bursting at the seams with rich automotive history. No matter if you’re an automotive enthusiast or simply enjoy taking a step back in time, Pioneer Auto Show’s immense collection of rare, vintage and unique cars will make your jaw drop. Roam dozens of buildings filled with automotive relics from day's past in exceptional condition and see why Pioneer Auto Show is one of the most popular antique car museums in the world. Today, we’re one of the most famous antique car museums in the United States and a top destination for families looking for the best things to see in South Dakota. Come visit us this summer with the entire family!! You won’t be dissapointed! https://www.pioneerautoshow.com/  

The Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum located in Salmon, Idaho is the go-to place for education on the history of Lemhi County. The museum is known as “A River of History Connecting Past, Present, and Future” Lemhi County Historical Society was originally founded in the early 20th century to document the lives of early Lemhi County settlers. The Society was inactive between 1928 and 1956, at which point it reformed and began to grow its collection of artifacts. In 1963, the Lemhi County Museum was opened to display the series of items that had been collected over the course of decades. The museum to this day, contains a variety of historical exhibits centering around Salmon City and Lemhi County and is open year-round. The Lemhi County Historical Museum houses the largest extant collection of Lemhi Shoshone (Agai Dika) artifacts.  Clothing, beadwork, arrowheads, ceremonial accessories, and an extensive photograph collection detail the traditional lives of Sacajawea’s people.  The Museum also features the area’s history in mining ranching and logging. The museum is expanding and is opening an additional building for the river of history and research center. Our Summer Hours: (Memorial Day through September 30th) - Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Winter Hours - Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please see our website for more information and plan a visit soon - https://lemhicountymuseum.org/

The Museum at Warm Springs, in Warm Springs OR. is many things, not the least of which is a striking piece of architecture, a 25,000 square-foot structure that packs an emotional wallop all too seldom felt in contemporary public buildings. But most of all, perhaps, The Museum exists as an answer to a question that has troubled Native Americans in general, and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in particular for most of the past century. Can this nation’s Indigenous peoples take any meaningful steps on their own initiative, under their own control to halt the erosion of their traditions, the dispersal of their sacred artifacts, the loss of their very identity as a culture? Chief Delvis Heath of the Warm Springs Tribe is a quiet man with a deeply lined face. “Way back in the 1960s,” the Chief laments, “We could see that the old ways were disappearing, the old language was disappearing, and pretty soon none of our young people would know where they came from or who they were. That’s when we decided to build a museum.” This was truly, a dream come true! The Museum at Warm Springs exists to preserve the culture, history and traditions of the three Tribes which comprise The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Museum was designed to provide a welcoming sight to the public as well as a safe conservatory for the traditional treasures of the Tribes. The Museum contains the Permanent Exhibit, a changing exhibit gallery, an exquisite gift shop, public restrooms, a library/archive, education room with cooking facilities, a conference/board room, artifact collection space and an office, a maintenance room and an administrative area. Just outside to the west, a small amphitheater is designed to be used for outdoor performances, demonstrations, and other public events. These galleries showcase tribal artifacts, but The Museum devotes as much to the cultural and historical record of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation as it does to their arts and crafts. “We wanted the museum to tell the story of our people,” explains Delbert Frank, Sr., President of The Museum’s Board of Directors in 1993 and an influential member of the Tribal Council. “We wanted it to tell the truth. To educate both the public and our own children. To tell them who we are.” We look forward to welcoming you this year - https://museum.warmsprings-nsn.gov/