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  • Discover the history of Kansas Oil

Statement of Museum’s Purpose

The Mission of the Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum is to preserve and interpret the history and culture of the people of Butler County and the Kansas oil industry. This will be accomplished by means of collections, exhibits, educational programs, special events and research capabilities.

The Museum’s purpose is to operate an open-air museum, with galleries and exhibits to depict Butler County's history during the late 1850s through the late 1940s.

Primary focus on farming, ranching and petroleum industry. 100 years of history on 10 acres.

The museum shall preserve historical structures, collect applicable archival materials, collect conserve, exhibit, and interpret collections of appropriate artifacts. As an educational organization, year round programming and groups tours are offered to encourage the interest of the community.

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Upcoming Events

  • Explore Butler County history

The Kansas Oil Museum is the one of the largest museums in the state with a focus on the history of America's early 20th-century oil industry. We also preserve and interpret the history of Butler County, Kansas, from the earliest days of the Native American tribes and the pioneers, to small-town and ranch life of the 1900s.

In addition to curating both permanent and seasonal exhibits, we function as the Historical Society of Butler County, with a large research library and extensive archival and photographic collections.

All ages are invited to come and visit our large indoor exhibit hall and 10-acre outdoor area!

Indoors you will experience the story of:

  • The Kansas Flint Hills

  • Butler County, Kansas

  • The history and science of oil exploration and production

Outdoors you will experience the story of:

  • Oil Field Equipment from the past 100+ years, restored and operated during special events and tours. See how "black gold" was (and still is) extracted from deep within the earth, using this massive and powerful equipment.

  • Historic Oil Boom Town, furnished as if the town's inhabitants had never moved on. These oil boom towns operated as divisions of the oil companies, and were under the authority of company officials. Developed in response to oil strikes, these oil communities had their own stores, company offices, schools, and entertainment.

*During Inclement weather the outdoor exhibits will not be open*

 

Staff Members

Tiya Tonn, Executive Director

Ken Spurgeon, Historian

Jennifer Huffman, Events Coordinator

Tyler Melugin, Facilities Director

Board Members

Tamara Johnson, President

Loren Jack, Vice President

Julie Clements, Secretary

Jason Artz, Treasurer

Rachel Cochran

Travis Holcomb

Hayden Howard

Dr. Tim Myers

Kevin Stanfield

Visit Us

383 East Central Ave
El Dorado, KS 67042

Hours
Thursday – Saturday
10 am – 4 pm

Phone
(316) 321-9333