Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum

Boasting “100 Years of History on 10 Acres,” the Butler County History Center has exhibits and displays to interest any history buff! In addition to the Oil and Gas Legacy Hall and many rotating temporary exhibits, our indoor gallery features the permanent exhibit, Glory of the Hills as well as an exhibit on historical Butler County.

Glory of the Hills, is a permananet exhibit showcasing the Flint Hills and all of its natural beauty. The exhibit depicts the Flint Hills as a land full of possibilities. Historic photographs and artifacts explore the lives of early inhabitants, settlers, and farmer/ranchers who grazed their huge cattle herds on the rich bluestem grasses.

Children are welcome to play and explore in our special hands-on exhibit, and kids and adults alike will enjoy the working scale models of an oil refinery and rotary rigs. Our indoor gallery is complete with many other displays, including fossils, geology specimens, the Butler County Court House, and many other artifacts from our county’s history. 

Step outside and explore what life was like in a 1920s oil boom town! Along the boardwalk, you can browse through the General Store, explore the Doctor’s Office, learn about early printing in the Print Shop, and check out the Landman’s Office for oil prospects! Our journey into the past includes historical buildings, such as an oil company lease house, Grandma Anderson’s home, a 19^th century log cabin, and a one room school house.   

The outdoor living history grounds also feature a wide range of oil equipment that includes working cable tool rigs and pump jacks. Also on display are our antique vehicles: 1921 and 1926 Model T Ford trucks, a 1914 International truck, and a 1950 Ford F-3 truck. Be sure to bring your family in today to visit the Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum!

Check out the map of our grounds to your left to see the comprehensive collection of oil equipment.