The Museum has been housed in Wichita’s original City Hall, a landmark building constructed in 1890 and is considered an exhibit in itself. A wide variety of the Museum’s exhibits showcase life in Wichita over the centuries, from the Wichita Indian tribe—whose name the town adopted— to the cowboys who drove their cattle here, to the dawn of aviation and the City’s role as the Air Capital of the World.
Catch a glimpse of Wichita's early entrepreneurial spirit as it emerges from a prairie wilderness.
Our History comes alive!See for yourself, the fascinating stories and colorful people that made Wichita come to life.
Visitor's GuideOur memberships provide wonderful benefits and supports for preserving and promoting our local history.
Ways to supportTake a Tour
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Floor 1
On the Museum’s first floor you’ll find: Special exhibits at the Main Street entrance, the Museum Gift Shop, staffed by volunteers, the Davis Orientation Gallery…
Floor 2
On the second floor you’ll find: The DeVore Auditorium containing the Victorian Silver Plate exhibit, the Vintage Drugstore, A Child’s World exhibit, and numerous special…
Floor 3
On the third floor you’ll find: The core exhibit “Wichita the Magic City” which chronicles Wichita’s first fifty years. This is where the Museum begins…
Floor 4
On the fourth floor you’ll find: special exhibits in the Slawson Gallery and the core exhibit “Spirit of Wichita” exhibit which continues the time line…
Special Exhibitions
Being Modern
This exhibition follows (and is directly patterned after) the Museum’s previous exhibit Art Deco on the Plains. It takes the timeline forward to explore modern…
Victorian Cottage Christmas
A featured exhibit of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum includes “A Wichita Cottage.” This exhibit authentically recreates a typical middle-class Wichita home of the late…
Miniature Christmas Trees
Starting with the Wreath Festival and lasting through to the New Year, the Museum maintains its holiday decorating tradition with garlands and ornaments strewn over…
Moore Family Toy Santa Collection
In the lobby of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, from the Wreath Festival through the New Year, visitors will find the Moore Family Santa Dolls…
Upcoming Events
In the News
- In a holiday mood? Here are Wichita-area events that will help you savor the season November 5, 2024
- New exhibit explores thrifting throughout 20th century October 15, 2024
- ‘Heirloom’ book celebrating Wichita’s 150th about to be released by historical museum December 6, 2021
- New Guitar Exhibit Opening May 7, 2021
- Here’s 5 surprising artifacts at the Wichita historical museum. April 16, 2021
What our visitors saying about their experience
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Highly recommend! We were so surprised at how well presented the artifacts were and how many. Well worth the visit!
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Great museum to spend a couple of hours looking at fantastic and informative exhibits. A reasonable price with a good return for your investment.
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We got to visit for the first time today and loved it. So many fun things to look at and neat things to read. All our kids loved it too!
Cassie C.