Abilene Attraction in US News & World Report

Abilene's 5-Star General and 34th President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower made a world-wide impact. We are excited about the renovations to his Presidential Museum and it's great to see  U.S. News and World Report  share the story as well!


Exit Interviews

Click image to view interviews
How do you tell potential audience members how great a show is? With exit interviews, of course!

Check out the exit interviews from the Great Plains Theatre's production of Camelot.
Throwback Thursday


From The Salina Journal, February 2, 1982

Brothers Terry & Jerry Tietjens purchased Abilene's historic Seelye Mansion 36 years ago.

5 Star Reviews - Great Plains Theatre

Yes, its so true, lil' ol' Abilene KS has live theatre! And not just any run of the mill theatre, but classic and exceptional shows! They don't hold back on over the top performances and performers.
Its truly one of the great reasons to live in Abilene. A small town community that appreciates and supports live theatre in today's world is unique and rare. So thankful for all the wonderful sponsors and supporters that keep this theatre going. The show must go on!

- A'Lisa J
Abilene, Kansas


"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 22, 1945

Abilene Municipal Band 2018 Concert Schedule

All performances are in Eisenhower Park at the Royer Band Shell.
  • Thursday, June 14 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, June 21 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, June 28 @ 8 pm
  • Wednesday, July 4 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, July 12 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, July 19 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, July 26 @ 8 pm
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Silver Flyer Railbus
Saturday, June 23
Adults - $45
Children (3-11) - $35
Children (2 and younger) - Free

Advance reservations required
*Fare includes train ride, railbus ride, lunch, taxes and gratuities.

Ride the train between Abilene & Enterprise and the Railbus from Enterprise to Woodbine!

Ride the regular excursion train from Abilene to Enterprise departing at 10:00 AM. Transfer to the Silver Flyer Railbus at the Enterprise Depot for a short tour of the city of Enterprise. The railbus will then set on the rails on the east edge of Enterprise for a 12 mile ride on the historic and scenic stretch of our railroad between Enterprise and Woodbine that our train does not have access to. Upon arrival in Woodbine you will have lunch (included) and will then return to Enterprise by road which will include a driving tour of the historic stone houses in the German, English, and Swedish settlements along the way. You will then board the afternoon regular train in Enterprise for the final segment of the trip back to Abilene arriving at approximately 3:30 PM.

Dickinson County Heritage Center

The Dickinson County Heritage Center is a unique collection of two in-door museums, that continues out-the-back-door where you will find actual buildings from around the county, all depicting life on the Great Plains.

Don't miss the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel - the oldest operational C.W. Parker Carousel.

Summer Hours:

Monday-Friday 
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (note time change)

Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 


Special event - Vegetopia


Saturday, June 16
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
*Note Location* Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Aaron Barnhart presents "Vegetopia" for the Memories of the Prairie Series at the National Greyhound Hall of Fame. 

Barnhart was a columnist for 15 years for the Kansas City Star. He went into the history business with his wife, Diane Eickhoff. Together they wrote and published, The Big Divide: A Travel Guide Historic and Civil War Sites in the Missouri-Kansas Border Region. 

In 2016 he launched a successful Kickstarter to publish a series of original historical nonfiction books for the Young Adult market. That series produced two Ben Franklin Award winners and a Junior Library Guild selection.

His next work is a blog that reflects his dual interests in media and history called History Is Power. 

The Heritage Center is proud to present Aaron Barnhart at the National Greyhound Hall of Fame, free admission, all ages welcome.

Special event - Abraham Lincoln presented by Steve Burns


Saturday, June 23
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
*Note Location* Greyhound Hall of Fame 

When Steve Burns enters a room, heads will usually turn.

His formidable height sets him apart and so does his graying beard. Yet it's the stovepipe hat that transforms the former Sioux Cityan into a lookalike for the 16th President of the United States.

"You can't be Abraham Lincoln without the hat," Burns said. "That completes the look."

Currently a Russell, Kansas resident, Burns has been an Abraham Lincoln reenactor for several years.

"There was always a resemblance but it became more apparent after I grew my beard out," the former truck driver and construction worker explained. "My wife trimmed it into different shapes until we found one that looked historically accurate."

Appearing at schools, libraries and historical ceremonies around the country, Burns will be giving a presentation at a fundraiser for Doug's Donors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and improving life through education and  awareness
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Army Wreath Laying Ceremony
Thursday, June 14 | 10:00 a.m. | Place of Meditation

Military leaders and soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, will lead this ceremony, paying tribute to the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the U.S. Army's 243rd birthday. Visitors are invited to participate by lining the sidewalk as the procession moves from the Eisenhower Presidential Library to the Place of Meditation, where a wreath will be placed at General Eisenhower's graveside. 

Eisenhower Boyhood Home - 71st Anniversary of Public Opening 
Friday, June 22 | All day | Visitors Center Auditorium

On June 22, 1947, the Eisenhower Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas, became the first building the Eisenhower Foundation opened to the public. Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library campus today and enjoy refreshments in the Visitors Center and free admission all day!  

Great Plains Theatre -  Camelot 

Camelot
The Classic Broadway musical of King Arthur and his Knights, specifically reimagined for more intimate theatre settings. Watch the tale you may already know unfold in new and exciting ways as the revelers whisk you away to Camelot!

Rated PG

Click here to see interviews with the cast! 

Showtimes:
Thursday, June 14, 7:30 PM
Friday, June 15, 7:30 PM
Followed By: Cabaret
Saturday, June 16, 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 17, 2:00 PM
 

Thank you to our Season Sponsor: Astra Bank
Thank you to our Show Sponsors: Kollhoff Pharmacy, Reynolds Real Estate
Thank you to our Theatre Thursday Sponsor: First Bank Kansas, Advantage Trust

THEATRE THURSDAY
Discount Tickets!
Individual Tickets are available for purchase for our Mainstage productions of Camelot, Lion In Winter, Shrek The Musical, and Not Another Christmas Letter! The Musical.

Here at Great Plains Theatre, we want everyone to be able to experience Live Professional Theatre, and we found a few corporate sponsors to help us make that happen. Thanks to Midwest Concrete Materials, Inc. Land Pride, First Bank Kansas and Advantage Trust for their sponsorship, we have reduced the price of individual tickets on Thursday nights to $20 for adults, and $10 for students. This is an incredible savings, so tell your friends and come see a show!

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Ginger, resident Greyhound at the  Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum , loves greeting visitors of all ages! 

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Free admission
 

Old Abilene Town

Wild Bill's Gunfighters

Saturdays 
Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Sundays 
1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 


 
Seelye Mansion

Abilene's Historic  Seelye Mansion  is a must-see! Furnished with items from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright and home to a wooden  bowling alley that's more than 120 years old, it's no "wonder" this beautiful mansion was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winners by the Kansas Sampler Foundation

Tours Daily!
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m
 


Upcoming events:
  • Camelot @ Great Plains Theatre - June 8-10, 12-17
  • Veteopia @ Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - June 16.
  • Independence Day Celebration - July 4
  • Abraham Lincoln presented by Steve Burns @ Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - June 23
  • Bison Tales presented by Jim Mayhew @ Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - June 30
  • Governor Nehemia Green portrayed by Nolan Sump @ Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - July 7
  • Movie Screening - "Abilene Town" @ Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center - July 8
  • The Lion in Winter @ Great Plains Theatre - July 13-15, 17-22
  • Central Kansas Free Fair - August 1-6
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo - August 2-4
  • National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo - August 2-4
  • Shrek the Musical @ Great Plains Theatre - August 10-12, 14-19
  • Not Another Christmas Letter @ Great Plains Theatre - November 30-December 2, 4-9
Share your news!
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to  director@abilenecityhall.com.

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