HISTORY & HERITAGE

We take pride in our state's history and heritage. From the native tribes who resided on this land for centuries to the innovative pioneers who lead the way and everything in between.

Monthly Picks

Arts & Entertainment

Historic Opera Houses of Kansas

Raised across the state as edifices of high culture (at least in name), opera houses are now being restored and revisited for community…

History & Heritage

Ten Kansas Military Legends to Know

Kansas Tourism General Lewis W. Walt General Lewis Walt was born in Wabaunsee County in 1913. He was commissioned in the Army Field…

Latest History & Heritage Articles

History & Heritage

The Land Speaks: Pawnee Indian Museum

  • 6 minutes

Photography by Tanner Colvin Rex Buchanan, director emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey, goes on a thoughtful exploration of the Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site in Republic At the end of…

History & Heritage

Walk the Orphan Train Statue Trail in Concordia

  • 3 minutes

Photography by Jason Dailey Pay tribute to the children of the Orphan Train Movement by walking the Statue Stroll in Concordia In 1924, 11-year-old Anna Fuchs feared she might not be adopted. She was…

Reasons to Love Kansas

Reasons We Love Kansas: Cemetery Art

  • 7 minutes

Gravestones, statues, and sculptures across Kansas cemeteries reveal stories of devotion, artistry, and historical legacy. Across Kansas, cemeteries are home to more than headstones—they're open-air…

Food & Drink

Dinner Trains Embrace Kansas History

  • 7 minutes

Photography by Dave Mayes (Courtsey of Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau) The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad transports passengers to the golden age of rail travel with classic dining experiences…

History & Heritage

A Coal Mine on the Plains

  • 4 minutes

Beneath Cloud County’s prairie landscape, a hidden coal reserve once supported a small community Travelers on Kansas roadways may see abandoned limestone buildings and think of them as simply ruins of…

History & Heritage

Wild, Wild West: Travel the Gunsmoke Trail

  • 8 minutes

For a taste of frontier life, follow this road trip through four Kansas cities featured in the iconic TV show Gunsmoke The camera pushes into a close-up of Matt Dillon, the gruff but honorable marshal…

  • 6 minutes

Photography by Nick Krug A small museum on the campus of Kansas State University houses a rare and unusual collection of historic clothing and textiles The museum is here, but few know where to find…