Good Way Sunday | August 3rd 2025
2025-08-03 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | KS
Good Way Sunday Concert Series – 2025 Seasonat the Howe House: 315 E. Logan Ave, Emporia, KSJoin us on the first Sunday of each month from April through October, 4 PM to 6 PM, for the Good Way Sunday Concert Series — a free, family-friendly music event that brings the community together in the heart of Emporia!Set in the beautiful historic grounds of Good Way Gardens, this concert series showcases a wide range of incredible regional talent, from bluegrass and folk to jazz, rock, and beyond. It’s more than music — each concert also features hands-on arts & crafts, educational garden and prairie activities, and a welcoming space for all ages.Bring a chair, pack a picnic (no alcohol), and fill up your water bottles — then settle in for an evening of fun, fresh air, and fantastic performances.Admission is free, but free-will donations are gratefully accepted to support the concert series and on-site garden programming.Come experience the rhythm of the prairie — we can’t wait to see you there!
April 6 – Humbletown Formed in the humble prairie town of Vermillion, South Dakota, Humbletown has emerged as a powerful multi-genre bluegrass-inspired ensemble.
May 4 – Sam and the Fire Watchers Sam and the Firewatchers are a Kansas-based band blending blues, classic rock, and bluegrass into dynamic performances and heartfelt originals, built on nearly two decades of collaboration and camaraderie.
June 1 – Wayne Gottstine Band The Wayne Gottstine Band is a rock band from Kansas known for bringing the heat with big vocals and infectious rhythms.
July 6 – Cowgirl’s Train Set Cowgirls Train Set is a high-energy acoustic folk act based out of Kansas. They pride themselves on their eclectic sound and unique songs and plan on having you dancing and singing. Strap in, you savages, and all aboard!
August 3 – Beth and Brandon combine their classical, folk, jazz and choral music training to create a modern perspective on a vintage sound.
September 7 – Patti Steel Patti Steel’s music is a soulful fusion of genres. It weaves together the heart of roots and jazz, the raw emotion of blues, the honesty of country, and the electrifying energy of rock and roll.
October 6 – Tallgrass Express String Band Whether playing on a flatbed trailer at a ranch, doing roving music at Symphony in the Flint Hills, or entertaining in an art gallery in Kansas City, Tallgrass Express brings the look and sound of the Flint Hills to delighted listeners.
Each concert features arts and crafts activities, and interactive garden and prairie-based educational opportunities!

Good Way Sunday | September 7th 2025
2025-09-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Howe House, 315 E. Logan, Emporia, KS, 66801, United States
Good Way Sunday Concert Series – 2025 Seasonat the Howe House: 315 E. Logan Ave, Emporia, KS Join us on the first Sunday of each month from April through October, 4 PM to 6 PM, for the Good Way Sunday Concert Series — a free, family-friendly music event that brings the community together in the heart of Emporia! Set in the beautiful historic grounds of Good Way Gardens, this concert series showcases a wide range of incredible regional talent, from bluegrass and folk to jazz, rock, and beyond. It’s more than music — each concert also features hands-on arts & crafts, educational garden and prairie activities, and a welcoming space for all ages. Bring a chair, pack a picnic (no alcohol), and fill up your water bottles — then settle in for an evening of fun, fresh air, and fantastic performances. Admission is free, but free-will donations are gratefully accepted to support the concert series and on-site garden programming. Come experience the rhythm of the prairie — we can’t wait to see you there!
April 6 – Humbletown Formed in the humble prairie town of Vermillion, South Dakota, Humbletown has emerged as a powerful multi-genre bluegrass-inspired ensemble.
May 4 – Sam and the Fire Watchers Sam and the Firewatchers are a Kansas-based band blending blues, classic rock, and bluegrass into dynamic performances and heartfelt originals, built on nearly two decades of collaboration and camaraderie.
June 1 – Wayne Gottstine Band The Wayne Gottstine Band is a rock band from Kansas known for bringing the heat with big vocals and infectious rhythms.
July 6 – Cowgirl’s Train Set Cowgirls Train Set is a high-energy acoustic folk act based out of Kansas. They pride themselves on their eclectic sound and unique songs and plan on having you dancing and singing. Strap in, you savages, and all aboard!
August 3 – Beth and Brandon combine their classical, folk, jazz and choral music training to create a modern perspective on a vintage sound.
September 7 – Patti Steel Patti Steel’s music is a soulful fusion of genres. It weaves together the heart of roots and jazz, the raw emotion of blues, the honesty of country, and the electrifying energy of rock and roll.
October 6 – Tallgrass Express String Band Whether playing on a flatbed trailer at a ranch, doing roving music at Symphony in the Flint Hills, or entertaining in an art gallery in Kansas City, Tallgrass Express brings the look and sound of the Flint Hills to delighted listeners.
Each concert features arts and crafts activities, and interactive garden and prairie-based educational opportunities!

Crazy Quilt Stitches Workshop! W/Barbara Say
2025-09-27 12:30 - 15:30 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
We are excited to be working with Barbara Say to bring a monthly sewing workshop to LCHC. Learn different stiches and how to add beads, buttons, lace, and other embellishments to your project. The only requirements are the ability to use a needle and thread and bring your imagination.
*Supplies needed: embroidery hoop, needles, floss, scissors, tape measure, masking tape, small beads, buttons, and scraps of cotton lace.
*If you don’t have all the supplies listed above, extras will be available.
Workshops will be on the following Saturdays, 12:30PM-3:30PM:
September 27
October 11
November 8
December 13
Contact us at 620-340-6310 to let us know you will be attending!

Hispanic Heritage Art Show w/H.O.T.T. Opening Reception
2025-10-03 17:00 - 20:00 | KS
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with H.O.T.T.’s 4th Annual Celebration at the Lyon County History Center! This year’s event takes place during October’s First Friday Art Walk and features a vibrant evening of culture, art, and community connection. Guests can enjoy a live Folklórico dance performance by Raíces Hispanas, view a special Hispanic art exhibit, taste authentic snacks, and hear personal stories from members of Emporia’s Hispanic community. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, October 3, from 5:00–8:00 PM, and the exhibit will remain on display through November 8.

Good Way Sunday | October 6th | The Finale
2025-10-06 16:00 - 18:00 | Howe House, 315 E. Logan, Emporia, KS, 66801, United States

Crazy Quilt Stitches Workshop! W/Barbara Say
2025-10-11 12:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-08 12:30 - 15:30 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
We are excited to be working with Barbara Say to bring a monthly sewing workshop to LCHC. Learn different stitches and how to add beads, buttons, lace, and other embellishments to your project. The only requirements are the ability to use a needle and thread and bring your imagination.
*Supplies needed: embroidery hoop, needles, floss, scissors, tape measure, masking tape, small beads, buttons, and scraps of cotton lace.
*If you don’t have all the supplies listed above, extras will be available.
Workshops will be on the following Saturdays, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM:
September 27
October 11
November 8
December 13
Contact us at 620-340-6310 to let us know you will be attending!

Crazy Quilt Stitches Class for Embroidery work
2025-12-13 12:30 - 15:30 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801

89th LCHC Annual Meeting | Planted in the Past
2026-03-28 14:00 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
Join us for the 89th LCHS Annual Meeting, Planted in the Past, on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 PM at the Lyon County History Center. This annual gathering will include a brief business meeting featuring bylaw revisions and new trustee nominations, along with a review of 2025 and a look ahead to 2026.
After the meeting, enjoy refreshments, conversation, and a fun round of Lyon County trivia with prizes. Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in this engaging afternoon celebrating our shared history.
Please RSVP by March 26 to 620-340-6310 or curator@explorelyoncounty.org.

“Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” Traveling Exhibit Hosted By Lyon County History Center
2026-05-23 10:00 - 2026-06-21 16:00 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
We’re proud to host “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” a traveling exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, presented in Kansas by Humanities Kansas.

This national exhibition explores the lasting impact of the Declaration of Independence and how its ideals of liberty, equality, and self-determination have influenced people in the United States and around the world for nearly 250 years.

The exhibit also includes a special “Kansas 1776” section, highlighting what was happening on the land that would become Kansas 250 years ago.

The Lyon County History Center is honored to be one of 46 Kansas venues selected to host this exhibition as part of America’s 250th anniversary commemoration.

So be sure to stop by:
May 23 – June 21, 2026
Lyon County History Center
711 Commercial St., Emporia, KS
Open 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Sat

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness - Community Connections Exhibit
2026-05-23 10:00 - 2026-08-01 16:00 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the ideals that have shaped generations of Americans and communities across the country.

Opening May 23 at the Lyon County History Center, Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness is a new community connection exhibit exploring one simple but meaningful question: What does life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mean to you?

For nearly 250 years, these words from the Declaration of Independence have inspired debate, hope, change, and personal reflection. But their meaning has never been one-size-fits-all. For some, they may be represented through family traditions, military service, education, hard work, faith, immigration stories, personal freedoms, or treasured heirlooms passed from generation to generation.

This exhibit invites our community to help tell that story.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
On display: May 23 – August 1, 2026
Lyon County History Center
711 Commercial St., Emporia, KS

D. A. R. Genealogy Class
2026-06-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801
Have you ever wondered how to start tracing your family history, but weren’t sure where to begin?
Join the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) for a free genealogy class on Saturday, June 13, from 2:00–4:00 pm here at the Lyon County History Center.Whether you’re just starting your family tree or looking for new ways to break through a research roadblock, this class will introduce genealogy basics and help you learn more about the people who came before you. Participants are encouraged to have information about immediate relatives ready for the class to help get their research started.
Family history is more than names and dates; it’s the story of how we got here. This is a great opportunity to learn research techniques, discover available resources, and begin uncovering the stories hidden within your own family tree.
The event is free and open to the public.
📍 Lyon County History Center
📅 June 13, 2026
🕑 2:00–4:00 p.m.
