Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. . Dinosaurs, carriages, and war relics, oh my! As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time. Copyright 2021 - 2023Western Vista Historic Byway - All Rights Reserved, www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Wallace-Museum/584255478262543?fref=ts. I asked the volunteers a couple of questions about Museums Nearby. Fort Wallace, originally known as Camp Pond Creek, was the most western post in Kansas along the Smoky Hill trail, and from 1865 to 1878 bore the brunt of the hostile Indian activity in the state. The museum focuses on the interactions between the Native Americans and the settlers during the 1800s. In 2017, he donated his organ collection to the Fort Wallace Museum. google_ad_slot = "7565819021"; Due to the protection of Fort Wallace, the town was an important way station along the Butterfield Overland Despatch, and later, for the Kansas Pacific and Union Pacific Railways. He said many people were baffled by his hobby. For more information, please check out the Fort Wallace Museum website or the Fort Wallace Museum Facebook page. They can be contacted via phone at (785) 891-3564 for pricing, directions, reservations and more. Fort Wallace Museum 4.5 34 reviews #1 of 1 things to do in Wallace History Museums Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By Marc C " Life On The 1860's Kansas Plains " Mar 2023 I was awed by the many original artifacts, as well as the rare post Plains War era artifacts, such as a pump organ co. By BroomTree4 Want to visit a lavender farm? This is an excellent museum that addresses the interesting history of the area in a pretty thoughtful way. The city began with the establishment of Fort Wallace, ordered built by General William Tecumseh Sherman. I went out there early in the morning, worked all day. The median age was 48 years. The town of Wallace is small (only about 50ish people! The Rhea Antique Pump Organ. But don't expect to find a fort. We visited Wallace, Kansas and the Fort Wallace Museum in April, 2019. (785) 891-3564, $5 donation suggested more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I had a big shop out right back of my house. How to build a Little Free Library for your neighborhood, Best early Prime Day deals on everyday essentials, Over $500K raised so far in St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, Best moments from Mahomes, Kelce in The Match, Biden reveals next steps on student debt relief, First smoke, now aphids. . The old Fort Wallace cemetery still exists, and is located next to the Wallace Township Cemetery at 385423N 1013336W / 38.90639N 101.56000W / 38.90639; -101.56000. Rising up out of the High Plains, the museum is made up of several historic buildings including a church, train depot, the Pond Creek Stage Station and the Sunderland-Poe building complete with antiques. the Fort Wallace Museum. Kansas is on Mountain Time. Its a long way out here, but definitely worth the visit. from a Platycarpus (a mosasaur or marine lizard) for just $4 (2011 pricing). no visible remains at that site. Get a free Travel Guide. from the days when Kansas was the home to dinosaurs and other animals, We really wished we had more time as they have such a variety of well done displays, we could have spent another hour. - Fort Wallace Museum | Facebook A hearty chuck wagon lunch was served in the front yard of the Museum, with beef, beans, beer bread, fried potatoes, and peach cobbler cooked on the open. exhibits. Though nothing remains of the fort itself, but the city of Wallace features the Fort Wallace Museum and the Pond Creek Stage Station located just to the southeast. don't know what I would do with them. I was awed by the many original artifacts, as well as the rare post Plains War era artifacts, such as a pump organ collection, a vintage telephone switchboard, and a Spanish-American War cannon. Put it on your Kansas itinerary!! A small detachment of soldiers was left to protect the fort for some time, but they too eventually were removed. There are four historic buildings and a fairly modern museum The Fort Wallace Museum in Wallace, Kansas We found the docent so passionate and endearing (I wish I had noted her name) along with being very knowledgeable and entertaining. After visiting the remote Kidder Massacre site; I was determined to visit the Fort Wallace Museum. The museum now has a dedicated area for Rheas organs. A sign said Historical Marker ahead so we stopped and actually found this special place. There is even a dinosaur fossil skeleton. Rhea closed up shop after Bernice died. A large portion of the exhibit space in the main building is occupied by the Floris and Viola Weiser Collection, which is devoted to the 7th, 5th and 10th Cavalries. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Love Kansas? Located 1 miles west of present-day Wallace, Kansas, the stop was a rest station that . All sidewalks and entrances into the museum are ADA-compliant. My husband and I made a point to make FWM the first stop on our vacation this week and were blown away by the way in which they bring history to life, the diversity of their exhibits and events, their beautiful research library, and the dedication of their volunteers. Fort Wallace Museum summer hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MT) Monday Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (MT) on Sundays. There are also some very interesting buildings on the property : an old railway station, a church and more! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Consider giving back to the community by building a book-sharing box. only 56 people. The troops, which never exceeded more than 350, and averaged just 75, saw more Indian encounters than any other fort, earning Fort Wallace the nickname the Fightinest Fort in the West.. Fort Wallace operated as a U.S. Cavalry fort to help defend settlers against Cheyenne and Sioux raids. The Fort Wallace Museum in Wallace, Kansas is pretty impressive for the size and quality of the museum in a town of only 56 people. Indian Attack on a Wagon Train by Charles Marion Russell. Fort Wallace was a US Cavalry fort built in Wallace County, Kansas to help defend settlers against Cheyenne and Sioux raids. Up the road is the original site of the Fort, along with the post cemetery and the original 1867 monument to the fallen. It was called the Pond Creek Stage Station. Officers at Fort Wallace in . During the years the fort operated, several influential men were stationed at the fort, including General George Armstrong Custer, who fought in his first Indian battle not far from the fort, as well as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickok, and George Forsyth. So father Cruz, the priest, wanted to know if I had my pick-up, and I said, yes,' Rhea explained. collection in the future. There We were prepared for this to be a good county museum, but it far exceeded expectations. Fort Wallace, Kansas, was first established as a Butterfield Overland Dispatch station on the Smoky Hill Trail in 1865. I was more than happy to contribute! Because of the scarcity of materials in the region, settlers scavenged building materials and sometimes moved entire buildings from the post. Everything is free and the docents are very friendly. main building is occupied by the Floris and Viola Weiser Collection which A collection of Western art, including works from regional artist Jerry Thomas and more. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 3.06. The rivalry between Madigan and Peter Roubidoux, who owned the store across the street, was legendary. It was called the Pond Creek Stage Station.