Passport to the Panhandle

Just across the state line in Kansas lie many unique artifacts.

As we continue our journey through the Panhandle, we invite you to join us to explore the fascinating museums within our service area. Just across the Oklahoma state line, nestled in Elkhart, KS, lies the Morton County Historical Society Museum.

Since its inception in 1987, this museum has provided valuable historical insights for our area, attracting around 7,000 visitors from across the globe each year. Each visitor departs with enriched knowledge of Indian artifacts and perhaps a newfound perspective on the resilient pioneers who endured the Dust Bowl.

Brewster, an American buffalo and the Kansas state animal, is one of the museum's beloved attractions. Brewster's name was chosen through a local contest for 5th graders, inspired by Brewster M. Higley, the author of “My Western Home,” famously known as the Kansas state song “Home on the Range.”

The museum also boasts connections to notable Kansas figures such as Thane Baker, who occasionally visits for book signings. Both Thane Baker and Glenn Cunningham, Olympic medal winners from Morton County, have their stories showcased at the museum, leaving visitors with a deep appreciation for their achievements and a sense of pride in the county's rich history.

In April, the museum unveiled a new Dust Bowl display, offering visitors a compelling visual and audio experience of what it was like to be inside a house during a dust storm, complete with views of the outside conditions during that era.

We encourage all of our members to visit the Morton County Historical Society Museum in Elkhart this summer. Remember to sign your “passport,” and your name could be drawn in August for a prize.  Visit all four of our area museums and you could be a grand prize winner!

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