Atchison County Historical Museum

The cafe outside of the Atchison County Historical Museum

"The lonely coffee shop" by Thiophene_Guy is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Atchison, KS

MANAGED BY:

Atchison County Historical Society

Amenities

28 listed

ATM/Cash Machine, Accessible Rooms, Accessible Sites, Audio Description, Audio Description - Live, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Cellular Signal, Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging, Fire Extinguisher, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Internet/WiFi Available, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Table, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Restroom - Family, Telephone, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Located in the city of Atchison, Kansas, the Atchison County Historical Museum is housed in the historic 1880 Santa Fe Freight Depot.  

It was here in Atchison that, in 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark of the Corps of Discovery celebrated their first independence day of the expedition in present day Atchison. Later, in 1854, the town of Atchison was founded, incorporating as a city in 1858. It takes its name from Kansas Senator David Rice Atchison, who is considered to have served as president for a single day between the Polk and Taylor administrations. In more recent years, Atchison county is significant for being the hometown of the 20th century female aviator Amelia Earhart.  

Today, the Atchison County Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the area’s history. Visitors will learn about Lewis and Clark’s time in Atchison, as well as the history of Amelia Earhart, Jesse Stone, David Rice Atchison, and the Atchison County Railroad. Also on display is a collection with over 200 weapons from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and both World Wars.  

For more information on the Atchison County Historical Museum, call [phone] or email [e-mail].