Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village 

Visit the Barton County Historical Society Museum & Village for a fascinating glimpse into the past. Located on five acres, just south of Great Bend on US Highway 281 (south of the Arkansas River Bridge), the Village boasts several period buildings: an 1873 native stone house, an 1898 church, a 1910 railroad depot, a 1915 school house, and a small post office, all authentically furnished. Visitors may even pump fresh water at the Waupun wood-vane windmill beside a bed of native flowers. The main Museum and other buildings allow a peek into rural community life.  The museum and village provide an interesting afternoon walk for visitors from April to November, with special events at Christmas and other holidays.

Permanent and rotating exhibits showcase:

• Over 300 dolls, dating from 1850
   
• Diorama & archaeological displays illustrating Native American culture in the area from the Paleo period to the Santa Fe Trail and European settlement
   
• Significant textile collection, including wedding dresses and fine examples of lace-making, quilts, and other needlework
   
• Brit-Spaugh Park & Zoo display
   
• Medical and dental offices, beauty and barber shops, a general store, Victorian parlor, kitchen, and more
   
• Antique tractors and agricultural implements
   
• Re-creation of a blacksmith's shop
   
• Repository for military history and memoirs, from Ft. Zarah and the Indian Wars to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Great Bend Army Air Field of World War II