Prairie Museum of Art & History

About the Museum The Prairie Museum of Art & History is home to the World-Class Kuska Collection which includes approximately 28,000 items. The Kuska Collection contains dolls, furniture, toys, glassware, ceramics, silver, souvenirs, coins, stamps, clocks, home goods, and much more. The Prairie Museum is also home to the Thomas County Historical Society and is a repository for historical materials and artifacts related to the county’s rich history. New Additions! One of the museum’s newest additions is the updated comparative panorama of the city of Colby. Visitors can use a touchscreen console to interact with the large panorama and learn more about the town’s history and changes over the last 100+ years. We have so much to see! Other must-see exhibits include the museum’s collection of Meissen, Wedgwood, and other ceramics from around the world. A favorite interactive exhibit is the museum’s collection of Vaseline glass, which glows in the dark. One of the museum’s unexpected treasures is a Roman Tear Vase. Visitors also won’t want to miss the beautiful Waterford Chandelier that hangs above the gallery entrance. The Prairie Museum also hosts local and Kansas artists for a series of changing art exhibits throughout the year. Activities for Kids! The Prairie Museum is a family-friendly museum that offers a wide array of interactive and hands-on activities. The Kid’s Corner features an indoor playhouse where children can learn about Kansas through dress-up, puzzles, toys, and other fun educational activities. The museum also features both a horse and a car which children can ride. Children will also enjoy the puppet theater and operating the toy train. Children and adults alike enjoy taking a photo with our interactive American Gothic painting, in which the visitor can pose as either the farmer or his wife. Historical Buildings! Prairie Museum’s 24-acre site is also home to 6 historical buildings, each helping to tell the story of life in the early days of Northwest Kansas. Visitors will experience early prairie life in the Sod House. The Nicol School offers an example of education in a one-room school. Visitors can enjoy quiet contemplation in the Lone Star country church. The Eller House will transport you back in time to see what life was like on a 1930’s farmstead. The Vacin-Tubbs barn is a perfect example of the classic red barns that dot the rural landscape. Cooper Barn The most popular and renowned of our historical buildings is the Cooper Barn, which is known as the Largest Barn in Kansas. The barn measures an impressive 66 feet wide, 114 feet long, and 48 feet high. The Cooper Barn was named one of the 8th Wonders of Kansas Architecture in 2008. The barn features artifacts, exhibits, farm implements, and photographs that tell the story of Northwest Kansas’ rich agricultural history.