Some Examples of displays in our museum
World's Smallest Presidential Library
World's Smallest Presidential Library
World's Smallest Presidential Library
The David Rice Atchison World's Smallest "unofficial" Presidential Library is a special exhibit in our museum where you make the decisions. Our County and the City of Atchison are named for this 24-hour-President and you should know why he was a key player in the early days of the Kansas Territory and the era of Bleeding Kansas. The exhibit gives you two sides to questions and you decide...was David Rice Atchison a peacemaker or a border ruffian? Was he the Real 12th President or just the Senator next in line?
Exhibits
World's Smallest Presidential Library
World's Smallest Presidential Library
We have some people we'd like to introduce you to:
Lewis and Clark, Jesse Stone, Joe Tinker, Pardee Butler, John Cameron Swayze, Fred Stein...and the list continues.
The Collection
World's Smallest Presidential Library
The Collection
Our collection is varied and diverse - just like the region and historical events we are charged with preserving. As we compile more content for our new and expanded website and as we progress through moving our existing catalog and old - non-computerized- artifact catalogues to a new system - we will share information here.
unique items
Educational opportunities
The Collection
The Bob Staley Collection is a unique eclectic mix of objects this one-of-a-kind auctioneer gathered over the years. Some items are fantastic pieces of Atchison County History - others are common items from another time and a few are truly WHAT-IZ-ITS! See how many you can identify.
Educational opportunities
Educational opportunities
Educational opportunities
Explore the treasures that breathe life into the stories of our corner of the world. No matter the age of your students, home school or family group there will be something we can supply to bring history to life. All Atchison County Schools and Educational groups may book tours or programs for NO CHARGE - it's part of our mission to serve Atchison County youth. We have special tours for pre-K, K-12, college and adult groups.
Walter Yost Exhibit
Educational opportunities
Educational opportunities
The Atchison County Historical Society has been fortunate to be given several works of art by Walter Yost as well as his work desk and many other artifacts from his studio and personal collection.
Walter taught and worked in our area and is famous for his artistic abilities as well as his amiable personality.
We are proud to be able to display these items.