Historic Structure Tours

• 

  Springhill Farm and Stock Ranch: Ranch House

  Join Ranger Heather's tour! This grand four-level ranch house, completed in 1881, forms the centerpiece of the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch. It stands as a beautiful example of French Renaissance Second Empire architecture, a style popular in the late 19th century. This stately home also exemplifies a change in the American West: the transition from small ranches on the vast open range to large, enclosed ranching businesses, laying the foundations for the present-day American cattle industry.

  Duration:

  47 minutes, 35 seconds

 

• 

  Mr. Jones' Chicken House

  Ranger Heather tells visitors about Mr. Jones' Chicken House. Sporting a sod roof, it was built into the hillside, affording it some degree of protection from extreme temperature swings. The Chicken House is found on the grounds of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, Kansas.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 17 seconds

 

• 

  Mr Jones' Barn

  Build into the side of the hill in 1882, Stephen Jones constructed this barn of locally quarried limestone. Join us on this special ranger guided tour that opens up parts of the barn not typically available to the public. Mr. Jones' barn is found on the grounds of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, Kansas.

  Duration:

  21 minutes

 

• 

  Video of the North Parlor

  Video of the fancier parlor in the house; gold leafing on the woodwork. It was used as the formal entertaining area.

  Duration:

  26.68 seconds

 

• 

  Video of the South Parlor

  The south parlor was more for informal entertaining, such as for family guests. The family's large square grand piano may have been located here.

  Duration:

  25.802 seconds

 

• 

  Playing Christmas Music in the Parlor

  On special holiday events the house comes alive to the sound of live music being played.

  Duration:

  56 seconds