Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

The Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in La Crosse holds a large collection of over 2,400 types of barbed wire and historical fencing tools from the American West. The exhibition documents the different designs and technologies of this simple but revolutionary invention.

The museum was founded in 1970 in downtown La Crosse and moved in 1990 to a new building next to the Post Rock Museum to accommodate growing collections. This relocation helped protect the collection and make it more accessible to visitors.

The museum shows how barbed wire shaped life and work in the region, and how ranchers used it to divide grazing lands. The fence is presented not just as a practical tool but also as a symbol of the changes the West experienced.

The museum operates from May through September with varied hours depending on the day of the week. Your visit should allow sufficient time to thoroughly explore the extensive collection.

The museum houses the Larry Greer Research Center, which preserves a collection of patents and publications about barbed wire technology. This specialized resource attracts researchers and technically minded visitors who want to understand the invention's development in detail.

Location: La Crosse

Opening Hours: May 01-September Monday[1] Monday-Saturday 09:45-16:30; Sunday 13:00-16:30

Website: https://rushcounty.org/BarbedWireMuseum

GPS coordinates: 38.52468,-99.31161

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26