Atchison County Historical Museum

The Atchison County Historical Museum occupies a former freight depot building dating from 1880 and showcases collections about local development and railroad heritage. The exhibits provide an overview of regional artifacts and significant historical connections to the area.

The Atchison County Historical Society founded the museum in 1967 and relocated it to the current depot building in 1989 to expand its collections. This move allowed the institution to significantly grow its holdings and exhibition space.

The museum displays exhibits about the Lewis and Clark expedition and honors local figures like Amelia Earhart who shaped this region. These collections reflect how important these historical figures remain to the community.

The museum is housed in an easily accessible building and is typically open throughout the week, though seasonal schedule changes should be anticipated. Visitors should check opening hours in advance, particularly during holiday periods or special closures.

The museum houses the Presidential Library collection of David Rice Atchison, a politician who served as Senate president for just 24 hours. This unusual historical episode makes the collection an important record of a rare political occurrence in American history.