Miami County Kansas Historical Museum

03/29/2026

Donations and Volunteers Keep Our Doors Open!

Please consider us for your charitable giving. Our community has a unique and vibrant history. Help us keep it alive for generations to come.

Click on the following link to donate:

https://miami-county-kansas-historical-society-museum.square.site/product/donations/25?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

03/27/2026

We have exciting exhibits planned. We are reaching out for donations of full sized mannequins...with heads, please!

03/24/2026

Welcome Crow Moon

The Miami tribe is the most prominent Native American tribe in historic Miami County, Kansas. Forced from their Indiana sacred lands in 1846, the Miami became the tribe for which our county is named. For the Miami, their lunar calendar has survived as one element of their historic culture.

We have entered a significant lunar period.

In the Midwest, aanteekwaki 'crows' are some of the earliest birds to build nests and lay eggs. Like the other lunar months named for birds, Aanteekwa Kiilhswa 'Crow Moon' typically occurs during the transition from peepoonki ‘winter’ into neepinwiki ‘summer.’

During Aanteekwa Kiilhswa, maple sugaring often reaches its peak. But by the end of this lunar month, the Sugar maple trees have usually budded and the sugaring season comes to a close.

Source

Eemamwiciki 'the awakening ' a place for sharing the culture of the myaamia people

03/23/2026

When John Brown turned the table!

In 1829, a group of white settlers wanted Native American hunting grounds for themselves. So they asked abolitionist John Brown to help drive the tribes out of the country, Brown grabbed his rifle and said: "I will have nothing to do with so mean an act. I would sooner take my gun and help drive YOU out of the country."

Thirty years later, he led 21 men to raid Harper's Ferry, trying to free every slave in the South. His raid lit the spark that started the Civil War..

03/22/2026

Yesterday was...History!

Paola Aerial early 1960s -

City Hall to the left, Commercial Hotel (gone), in center, Miami County National (Now Great Southern Bank) to the right.

03/15/2026

Great things happen when vision, creativity, perseverance and team work come together!

The Miami County Kansas Historical Museum has been awarded a grant from Kansas Tourism for the project, "A Walk Through Time in Native American Life." This exhibit will feature interactive stations, water features, artwork, a traditional Wiikiaami shelter, and more!

We strive to honor the tribes that were indigenous to our area and those who were forcefully removed from their homeland to this soil.

03/14/2026

03/14/2026

Have you heard about the fantastic monthly presentations at the museum? We are getting lots of positive reviews. And, guess what? We need a volunteer monthly presentation coordinator. Could that person be you?

Interested? Call our Executive Director, Jana Harrington Barcus, at (913) 333-2657.

03/12/2026

We are proud to announce the presentation of in-house monthly exhibits at our renovated and ever improving historical museum.

The theme of the March exhibit centers around the Civil War as it affected Miami County, Kansas (and beyond!)

Think of this...

Initially, many enthusiastically supported the war effort, viewing it as a duty to send sons and husbands to fight for their respective causes. But then, a weariness of the death and loss developed with some attempting to rally others against the violence.

Please visit our museum and go back in time.

“The fight must go on. The cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered at the end of one or even one hundred defeats.” — Abraham Lincoln

03/11/2026

Ever wonder who you are?

Genealogy is the study of family history and lineage. There is a methodology involved in discovering our "roots!" Join us for on March 12 and learn how to approach learning about those who came before us...those who often are responsible for who we are and where we are!

No charge.

03/08/2026

Ribbon Mastery...the Miami Tribe

Shannera McCoy, past Miami Nation Tribal Princess and descendent of tribal members who arrived in Miami County as the result of the forced government removal in 1846, explains the background of beautiful Myaamia (Miami) Ribbonwork.

Ribbonwork is a craft that emerged in the late 1700s when Myaamia people traded with Americans for silk ribbon. Using the silk, Miami women were able to create intricate geometric patterns.

Although the materials and methods of making the patterns were new, elements of the patterns pre-dated ribbonwork and can be found on older painted hides, tattoos, quillwork, and weaving, among other examples. Myaamia people used the ribbonwork to adorn clothing for special occasions for both men and women, especially leggings, skirts and moccasins.

Traditionally, ribbonwork would have been taught to one another by family members. While this is still considered the best way to learn a skill, it is not realistic for a community as geographically dispersed as the Myaamia.

Source

https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/education/education-resources/myaamia-ribbonwork/