Lyon County History Center

Specific Need

We are storytellers. We tell the stories of Lyon County, Kansas history and culture by using artifacts and archival materials.  Funds from the Emporia Community Foundation Match Day will go toward collections management and conservation, educational programs, Loretto Langley kids' area and exhibits.  

History doesn's change, but how we share it does. Here are a few of the projects currently in progress:

  • Create walking, biking and driving history tours
  • Develop a themed activity booklet based on Lyon County history and culture
  • Coordinate events for the public such as workshops, tours, performances and outreach presentations
  • Create rotating themes and activities for the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
  • Add interactive exhibit components to second floor exhibit hall and rotate artifacts, photos and labels. 
  • Temporary exhibit fabrication
  • Update archival finding aids
  • Digitize archival materials

Who will tell your story? 

Mission

Mission 

Our mission is to save and share the diverse history and culture of Lyon County, Kansas and welcome all to experience stories that will inspire connections, ignite conversations and instill community pride. 

Vision

We envision history and culture to be at the center of discovery, engagement and change. 

Profile

In 1937, a group of Lyon County residents and members from the Emporia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution joined forces to save the historical and cultural stories and relics of Lyon County, Kansas. Since that first meeting in 1937, our organization has evolved into a community minded entity with partnerships throughout Lyon County and beyond.

The Lyon County Historical Society owns and operates the Lyon County History Center and the Richard Howe House.  Currently, LCHS/LCHC is the only Lyon County organization that saves and shares the history and culture of all of Lyon County. 

We offer the following services to help connect individuals and groups to history and culture: 

  • Historical preservation consulting
  • Historical and cultural research
  • Archival and artifact conservation
  • History and culture related workshops - genealogy, family heriloom care, historic property research
  • Facility rentals
  • Educational programming for patrons of all ages
  • Outreach and tours
  • Exhibit fabrication on and off-site
  • A hands-on kids' area - Loretto Langley Exploratorium
  • Operating a collections repository for tangible objects 

Photos & Videos

Match Day 2023
Opening reception of the Emporia Pop Up Museum presented by Village Elementary School in Emporia.
Opening reception of the Emporia Pop Up Museum presented by Village Elementary School in Emporia.
Picking apples in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Picking apples in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Come play at the Farmer's Market in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium!
Come play at the Farmer's Market in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium!
Having fun in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Having fun in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Awesome activity wall (build with Legos on the wall!) in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium.
Awesome activity wall (build with Legos on the wall!) in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium.
Tiny tot area in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Tiny tot area in the Loretto Langley Exploratorium
Snow Place Like Home Event
Snow Place Like Home Event
Students on a field trip to the Lyon County History Center
Students on a field trip to the Lyon County History Center
Students from the Emporia Christian School on a field trip to the LCHC.
Students from the Emporia Christian School on a field trip to the LCHC.
Richard Howe House, David Traylor Zoo Safari Days
Richard Howe House, David Traylor Zoo Safari Days
Visit us during one of the many guest speakers presenting at the LCHC.
Visit us during one of the many guest speakers presenting at the LCHC.
Author Talk - Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe, Kansas Guidebook for Explorers
Author Talk - Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe, Kansas Guidebook for Explorers
Co-hosting a speaker from Humanities Kansas with our partner, the Emporia DAR.
Co-hosting a speaker from Humanities Kansas with our partner, the Emporia DAR.
2023 teacher workshop presented by LCHC and Dr. Darla Mallein.
2023 teacher workshop presented by LCHC and Dr. Darla Mallein.
The LCHC 3rd floor is an ideal space for performances of all kinds.
The LCHC 3rd floor is an ideal space for performances of all kinds.
Dancers performing during festivities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Dancers performing during festivities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
"La Colonia: Voices from the Hispanic Community" exhibit.
"La Colonia: Voices from the Hispanic Community" exhibit.
Grant Timmerman next to his great-uncle's uniform, Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Grant Timmerman
Grant Timmerman next to his great-uncle's uniform, Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Grant Timmerman
Identifying a set of gomphotherium (prehistoric elephant) teeth found 100 year ago in Lyon County.
Identifying a set of gomphotherium (prehistoric elephant) teeth found 100 year ago in Lyon County.
Broadview Hotel video. Check out more videos on our YouTube channel!

Contact

711 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: (620) 340-6310

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