Colby, Kansas, in the northwestern corner of the state, is home to the Prairie Museum of Art and History. The museum is operated and maintained by the Thomas County Historical Society. The 24-acre site is just north of I-70, between exits 53 and 54. The buildings and barns contain over 40,000 artifacts, archives, books and displays that celebrate life on the prairie in Kansas.
The Lone Star Church is just one of several buildings preserved and maintained by the museum. This church, built in 1915, is typical of many small churches scattered throughout the farming communities of northwestern Kansas. Originally located in Gem, Kansas, the church was moved to its current site in 1988. The history of the church speaks of the strong religious faith practiced by the early settlers of the area. Visitors can see the original pews, organ and church bell used to call worshipers to the service.
At one time, 94 one-room schools dotted the countryside of Thomas County, Kansas. The Nicol One-Room School typifies the kinds of schools small farming communities throughout Kansas used for education, community events and public meetings. The school held its first term in 1887 and was in operation until 1931. Today, visitors can see a fully furnished school room, complete with a school bell used to summon the students to class.
Once home to prize-winning Hereford cattle, the Cooper Barn was moved to the museum location in 1991. Its reputation as the largest barn in Kansas is supported by its immense dimensions. The barn is 66 feet wide, 114 feet long and 48 feet high and could house 75 head of cattle. Today, the barn houses farming exhibits that represent the first 100 years of the area's agricultural history. It has also been the scene of Western-style weddings, receptions and barn dances.
The scarcity of trees on the Kansas prairie led to innovative building practices. Sod homes required only enough wood for door and window frames and the walls could be constructed of sod blocks cut from the prairie. In 1984, volunteers built a sod house for the museum, using many of the same techniques used by early settlers. The sod house is furnished much as it would have been in the late 1800s and provides a valuable reminder of the ingenuity necessary to settle the Great Plains and prairies.
In addition to the preserved historical buildings, the Prairie Museum also maintains a large collection of memorabilia. Toys, dolls, furniture, glassware and pioneer clothing comprise a large part of the 40,000 artifacts in the museum. The exhibits also provide learning opportunities for students and teachers. There are also rotating exhibits that are valuable reminders of the rich history of the northwestern Kansas prairies.
