History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

August 2025

Kansas Museum of History

Grand Reopening: November 22, 2025

Mark your calendars, because the moment everyone has been waiting for is rapidly approaching! Join us for the grand reopening of the Kansas Museum of History on Saturday, November 22. Explore our completely renovated gallery for free and enjoy a full day of hands-on history, performances, costumed characters, a visit from the Governor, and more. If all that history works up your appetite, no need to worry - a lineup of food trucks will be on-site with options for everyone. Follow us on Facebook for updates and sneak peeks. We promise that the brand new Kansas Museum of History will be worth the wait!

Prepare for Guided Tours!

Guided tours of the newly renovated Kansas Museum of History will begin on February 1, 2026. Throughout December and January, museum staff will observe visitor traffic and identify any potential bottlenecks in the new gallery. This additional time will help ensure that guided tours operate smoothly, providing your students with a memorable and engaging experience.

Beginning February 1, two guided tour options will be available: a Gallery Highlights tour, which takes students through the entire museum gallery, and a Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War tour. Both tours align with Kansas History, Government, and Social Studies State Standards.

Contact our Tour and Volunteer Coordinator, Mia Santarelli, to book a tour for next spring!

Make and Take: Sunflower Garden

The Wild Native Sunflower was adopted as the official state flower of Kansas in 1903. Kansas has since earned the nickname “the sunflower state”. Use this fun make & take activity as a jumping off point to learn more about the different species of sunflowers that grow in Kansas. Prepare for the activity by teaching students about Kansas’ other state symbols.  

Kansas History Educational Resources

The next school year is upon us! To help you prepare for a great year, we’ve compiled our most popular educational resources. We have award-winning lesson plans, 50+ educational videos, over 730,000 primary source images, enrichment activities, hands-on materials, and more!

Volunteer at the

Kansas Museum of History

Whether you are greeting guests, answering questions, or simply helping visitors feel at home, volunteers play a vital role in creating a warm and engaging experience. It’s a fun way to give back, learn something new, and help connect people with our state’s history. We will offer a guided training program and informational sessions to ensure you feel confident and supported in your role.

Where can you make an impact?

Welcome Desk Volunteers: Be the first friendly face visitors see! Assist with greeting, wayfinding, and answering questions.

Gallery Guides: Bring Kansas history to life! Share insights, spark conversations, and help visitors engage more deeply with the exhibits.

Ready to get involved? Contact Mia Santarelli, Tour & Volunteer Coordinator, to learn more and apply!

Don't Forget!

State Historic Sites now have free admission! Look for one in your area. Call ahead as some are only open seasonally.

Read Kansas! lessons are available free of charge for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students while supplies last.

A variety of virtual tours, videos, and Nearpod lessons are available to use in your classroom. 

Traveling resource trunks are available to borrow. Reserve one now for the school year.

The Kansas Museum of History is closed for renovations. Although the museum is not available for field trips, our staff is here for you.