Since 1939, the Historical Museum has been actively collecting and preserving artifacts central to telling our local history’s stories. These artifacts are acquired in a number of ways, including purchases from local thrift shops.

Thrift Finds in the Museum Collection features objects fortunately discovered by Museum staff at local thrift stores. These items, no longer of use to their original owner, can help us to tell the story of our community.

Some of these notable finds include designs by Halston and Victor Costa, a Nehru jacket retailed by Henry’s department store, and a 1950s Shocker Lounge bowling shirt.

Collection artifacts not previously seen are revealed and interpreted in this exhibition.

Produced by the Museum, this exhibition was made possible through funding from Stev Overstreet, Alice Smith, the family of Kenneth E Gerhardt, and Goodwill Industries of Kansas