Welcome!

Welcome to the Lyon County History Center! We are excited to have you visit the History Center to learn more about Lyon County, Kansas history and culture. Below you’ll find fast facts about visiting the History Center.

Please visit the Lyon County History Center Tuesday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM
Admission is FREE! If you wish to donate to LCHC a donation of $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children is suggested.
The Loretto Langley Kids Area is OPEN from 10AM – 3:45PM.
The Winter Emporium Museum Store is stocked with souvenirs, books, t-shirts and locally made crafts.
The research library is open by appointment. Please call 620.340.6320 to make an appointment.
We encourage all guests to stay home if feeling under the weather. Please come to see us when you are feeling better.
Tours of the the Howe House located at 315 E. Logan have been suspended. While the house and outbuildings are closed, guests are welcome to walk the property from sunrise to sunset.

On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your interest in the Lyon County History Center. As always, if you have questions please feel free to call us at 620-340-6310.

A Friend of Lyon County History and Culture

If you are passionate about Lyon County history and culture consider becoming a friend of the Lyon County History Center! Our friends group supports the mission of the Lyon County History Center by offering volunteer opportunities and financially supporting educational programming, exhibits and the collections. Click here or call 620.340.6314 to learn more about the LCHC friends group today.

Educators!

Click HERE for lesson plans to help you use primary resources in your classroom!

The LCHC teacher workshop project is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Midwest Region Program, located at Illinois State University. Content created and featured in partnership with the TPS Midwest Region does not indicate an endorsement by the Library of Congress.

Many thanks to the following SUPPORTING level members

Proprietor Level

Jerilynn and Duane Henrikson

Thurston’s Plus

Story Teller Level

Gerald Schumann Electric

Eddie and Nancy Gilpin

Williams Automotive / Rex and Debbie Williams

History Keeper Level

Lyon County State Bank

William and Aloha Preston Family Trust

State Farm Insurance / Pete and Leslee Euler

Wright CPA Group

Archival and Artifact Donation

So you want to donate some stuff! First and foremost thank you for thinking of us. To proceed with artifact and/or archival donation please contact Lisa Soller 620-340-6314 or curator@explorelyoncounty.org to make an initial inquiry. To expedite the procedure please have a list of items available. Include condition, relevance to Lyon County history and culture, path of ownership and other pertinent information. As of last year we will no longer accept donations without an initial inquiry.

2026 Santa Fe Trail Bus Tour

Reserve your spot for the annual Santa Fe Trail bus tour on April 18, 2026.

Join Jan Huston and LeRoy Boline as they take history lovers on a bus tour of sites in north Lyon County on Saturday, April 18. The trek will take you down gravel roads while Jan and LeRoy share stories about local stage stations, trading posts and the people who colored the history of the northern side of our county. The bus trip will be $35 and includes lunch. Seating will be limited. Tickets go on sale March 21 online and at the Lyon County History Center. Friends of LCHC will receive a $5.00 discount!

Click here to reserve your spot!