Trego County Historical Society Museum

05/08/2026

Today marks the 81st anniversary of Allied victory in Europe, bringing an end to World War II on the continent.

At the World War II Memorial, stone and bronze honor the millions who served, remember those who never came home, and mark a turning point in the fight to restore freedom.

As the generation who lived this history grows smaller, places like this ensure their stories endure. We honor their courage, their service, and the sacrifice that made victory possible.

Photo by Carol M. Highsmith

05/08/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 as they graduate on Sunday! It was 40 years ago that one of the smallest classes graduated from TCHS since 1945. This was the Class of 1986 as they stepped into a bright future. Photos from the TCHS 1986 Yearbook.

05/07/2026

It was 60 years ago that the last class of Collyer High School walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

05/01/2026

🌻☀️ Happy May Day, Kansas! ☀️🌻

Spring has rolled across the plains, and Kansas is doing what it does best—showing off those wide-open skies and endless horizons.

Fields are waking up, wildflowers are popping, and that golden sunshine hits different when there’s nothing but prairie for miles. 🌾

It’s the kind of place where the air feels fresh, the pace feels slower, and the views remind you to just take it all in.

Of course… it wouldn’t be Kansas without a little wind keeping things interesting. 😭
Hair? Gone. Plans? Adjustable. Vibes? Still strong.

But that’s part of the charm—real, grounded, and full of heart.

Here’s to new beginnings, strong communities, and those simple spring days that just feel right. 💛

Happy May Day—Sunflower State style. 🌻

05/01/2026

Our mission is to share the history of our county. We are so glad to be a part of this project for the LTC.

04/29/2026

04/29/2026

Check out the list of towns and see what you find?

Kansas isn’t just flat fields and endless horizons… it’s also full of place names that’ll make you glance at the map twice like, “they really went with that?” 😭🌾

Take a drive through the Sunflower State and suddenly the map feels less like directions… and more like a mix of prairie humor, old legends, and somebody naming towns mid-conversation.

You’ve got places like:
• Dodge City — straight out of a Western 🤠
• Goodland — optimistic from the start ☀️
• Great Bend — does exactly what it says 😅
• El Dorado — sounds like buried treasure might be involved 💰
• Wamego — fun to say, even better in person
• Hutchinson — locals just say “Hutch”
• Medicine Lodge — history with a name like that 🪶
• Liberal — not what you think… or maybe exactly what you think
• Paradise — yes, it exists in Kansas
• Scandinavia — unexpected, but we’ll allow it 🇸🇪
• Wakeeney — you will question the pronunciation
• Smoky Hill — sounds peaceful… and it is 🌄

And the best part?
Nobody here finds it weird.

Locals will give directions like:
“Head past Great Bend, swing through Hutch, keep going toward Paradise, and if you hit Goodland… you’ve gone a little too far.”

And somehow… that makes perfect sense in Kansas. 😭

Because out here, the skies are massive, the roads go on forever, the sunsets show off, and every small town has its own quiet kind of charm.

Welcome to Kansas — where the land is wide open, the names are questionable, and the vibe is simple, warm, and real. 🌻🚗

04/23/2026

04/21/2026

It was April 21, 1956, a Saturday morning that would change downtown WaKeeney as the fire bell rang to a large fire on Russell Avenue. Noted as the worst fire in history of WaKeeney as seven businesses were lost. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Ralph Henry, a resident in the upstairs apartments of one of the businesses.

04/15/2026

You can leave Kansas… but Kansas never really leaves you. 🌾

It follows you in the way you appreciate open space, the way a quiet road feels like home, and how you somehow bring every conversation back to fields, sunsets, or “back home.” You’ll be somewhere else trying to fit in, and next thing you know you’re talking about gravel roads, wheat harvest, or calling a long drive “just a quick trip.”

Then that perfect golden evening hits… and it’s over.
The sky stretches forever, the sun drops slow, and everything glows like it was made just for that moment. Windows down, country roads ahead, and that feeling hits—peaceful, familiar, and hard to explain.

Kansas changes how you see things too.
You trust wide-open land more than crowded places.
You measure distance in “how long the drive feels” instead of miles.
And sunsets? They’re not just sunsets… they’re big sky, endless horizon, and colors that make you stop what you’re doing just to watch.

It’s backroad drives, small-town pride, front porch conversations, and that deep-rooted feeling that no matter where you go… something is always pulling you back.

Because being a Kansan isn’t temporary.
It’s something you carry for life. 🚗🔥🌅

04/08/2026

Get ready for our next exhibit!