Upcoming Events
El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection
Tour Guide Workshop
We are offering a special workshop for people interested in becoming volunteer tour guides. This morning workshop will introduce you to the exhibits in the museum and gallery, give the historic background and account, and experience the battle ground with Dennie Siegrist, our Historian who is passionate about the preservation of the Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork National Historic Site and its incredible story.
We will begin the day at the museum and gallery at 11:00 AM, followed by a light lunch, then travel to the battle site at 1:00 PM for our annual observance, Walk with the Spirits. We should return to town by 3:00 pm.
Call to reserve your spot today, 620-872-5912, or email scmuseum@sbcglobal.net
Walk with the Spirits, annual commemoration of the Battle of Punished Woman's Fork
Join us as we commemorate the 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Punished Woman's Fork, the last battle in Kansas between Native Americans and US Troops. Hear the story of the Northern Cheyenne Odyssey as they seek to travel back home and how a clash with U.S. Military brought both peoples together today as Sister Cities.
Hike with Historians as we trace the story throughout the battle site at 1:00 PM. A bus will be available leaving the museum at 12:45 PM. All others may meet at the battle site for the hike.
Anniversary Weekend
Celebrating a weekend of Anniversaries! El Quartelejo Museum, 25 Years & Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection, 15 Years!
Weekend Encampment featuring Steve and Troy Krehbiel and Friends
Friday evening Reception celebrating the Gallery, more info coming soon.
Saturday events: 2 PM Dedication of Refugees, Reservations, Reconciliation Smithsonian Partner Site Exhibit with special guests
Evening events, TBA
Sunday afternoon, Soda Fountain open for Sundaes
Irrigation and the Aquifer History Exhibit
New Exhibit Opening: History of Scott County Irrigation and Ogallala Aquifer! We will be joined by our partners who helped to design and build this great experiential space; Groundwater Management Dist. 1, Kansas Geological Survey, and KU Student Intern, Sunday Siomades.
10:00-10:15 – Fossils, Water, and Rocks, Oh My: The Geologic Tale of Scott City
Dr. Blair Schneider (Kansas Geological Survey) discusses the geologic history of Scott County
10:15-10:30 – Teaching Scott Geoscience
Kristopher Super (El Quartelejo Museum) discusses local paleontology and geo-education
10:30-11:30 – Game Session 1: Specimania
Participants will compete to obtain Kansas fossils and curate the most elaborate exhibits
11:30-12:00 – What’s in Your Water? State-Supported Initiatives to Protect Water Resources
Nick Schneider (Kansas Geological Survey) discusses water quality and the AWQUA program
Keadron Pearson (Kansas Water Office) highlights successful water programs and policies
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
Join Dr. Blair Schneider for an informal discussion on careers in the Earth sciences
1:00-2:00 – Game Session 2: Ogallala
Participants will compete to run the most lucrative Kansas farm...without depleting the aquifer that makes it all possible
2:00 – Exhibit ribbon-cutting
Participants can tour the exhibit and visit the KGS booth to explore lesson plans and activities about water resources
5:00 – Event end
Soda Fountain and VanAntwerp Exhibit Opening
Join us as we open our Newest Exhibit; VanAntwerp’s Rexall Soda Fountain and Clothing Display. There will even be ice cream sodas!
Fossil Talk with Kris Super
Bring your own lunch for this informative hour with Kris Super, Fossil Lab Manager and Preparator of the Western KS Fossil Lab. You’ll get to know our local fossils and hear about his latest work.
America 250!
William Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be sharing how you can begin your celebrations for our country’s sesquicentennial, America 250!
America 250! for Kids
Join us and members of the William Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for an informative hour learning about the 250th Birthday of America! Kids will enjoy a craft during this interactive hour.
Art Talk with Stephanie
If you are interested in Art and History, you'll enjoy this enlightening afternoon guided art tour in the Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection with Director, Stephanie Fisher. This talk is geared to adults of all ages who are welcome to join us for the hour as we explore the stories behind the historical paintings and artifacts.
Art Detective (ages 8+)
Want to experience art and learn the stories behind the paintings? Join us for this engaging morning exploring the Jerry Thomas Gallery & Collection and make your own work of art! This activity will be best for ages K-5. Youth ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
$5 each participant for non members (materials fees), Free for members.
Summer Saturdays: Mini Fossil Lab
Join us for Summer Saturdays! Opening at 10 AM - 5 PM, June - August.
Our Mini Fossil Lab is open to budding paleontologists and hosted by our own, Kris Super. Ages 8 and up are welcome to come learn how to prepare a fossil. RSVP: (620) 872-5912 or scmuseum@sbcglobal.org.
$5 each participant for non members, Free for members. Annual memberships are $10 for Individual or $20 for a Family. Members receive free benefits and activities all summer and throughout the year! You can join at the museum or online: https://www.elquartelejomuseum.org/membership
Summer Saturday: Get to Know Your Museum Scavenger Hunt
Join us for our first Summer Saturday! We will be opening from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, June - August, with fun and informative programs.
This Saturday is a "Get to know your museum scavenger hunt". Stop in anytime throughout the day and start your adventure! Travel through time from Fossils to the Frontier and Where Art and History tell a Story!
Free to participate and Free Admission!
Annual Meeting and Program
Celebrate Archeology History Month with our special guest, Paige Bump. Paige is the Project and Outreach Coordinator with the Kansas Historical Society specializing in outreach, archeology, and the KS Archeology Training Program. She welcomes you to bring an artifact or two for identification. No appraisals will be offered.
Her program will follow our Annual Business Meeting.
Discover the Library of Congress
Come experience our history and learn how to access the treasures of the Library of Congress from ANYWHERE.
The Library of Congress will have FREE in person workshops each hour throughout the day.
Explore Library of Congress digital collections without traveling to Washington D.C.
Connect your family heritage with regional and national history
Learn about the Veteran’s History Project and how the American Folkife Center preserves individual veteran’s collections
Discover Chronicling America: a historic newspaper resource
Sugar Plum Sale
The Annual Scott County Historical Society Sugar Plum Sale has expanded! We will begin the evening with our Sugar Plum Sale with goodies by the pound at 4:30 PM at the Western KS Child Advocacy Center, 212 E. 5th Street.
December Membership Coffee
December Dues Paying Members are invited to our Monthly Coffee and Conversation.
Holiday Open House
Enjoy the museum and gallery for a Holiday Open House featuring specials and discounts in the gift shop, door prizes, and refreshments. See our antique ornament display and enjoy a festive afternoon.
November Membership Coffee
November Dues Paying Members are invited to our Monthly Coffee and Conversation.
Giving Day 2024
Your support of Scott County Historical Society through the Scott Community Foundation on Giving Day goes even farther with bonus funds to boost your donations! Our goal is to raise $5,000 to help us with our exhibit enhancements and expansions.
Membership Appreciation
Enjoy an afternoon of history! Explore the museum, lab, gallery and the traveling exhibit, A Place to Call Home, from the Smoky Hill Museum with historians and experts who will elaborate and educate on their favorite subjects and exhibits. This will be a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and learn something new.
A Place to Call Home examines the decisions made for the journey to Kansas from approximately 1850-1900. These stories reveal the collective experiences of challenge, determination, hopes, dreams and new beginnings. Hear from those who risked it all through diary entries. These stories share the decisions immigrants made, the hardships they faced and the hope that brought them to Kansas.
Special Thanks to Scott City Travel & Tourism for sponsoring the exhibit and to Smoky Hill Museum for the development of the exhibition.
Kris Super will be in the Western KS Fossil Lab preparing the rare elasmosaurus and sharing about our recent trip to Cincinnati for the scanning of the best skull found of this specimen. He will also be opening one of the jackets of the Scheuerman Mammoth.
Jerry Thomas recently unveiled incredible artifacts as well as new original artwork. He will be in the Gallery for informative and rich discussion of these and more.
Several historians will be in the museum to share inside details to our area and local history with passionate accounts as well as upcoming exhibit expansions.
Plan to join us for this stimulating afternoon.
Event One
This amazing photograph of Clinton Bird Hat at Punished Woman’s Fork was taken by Anne St. Blanc Lampe. It perfectly captures the essence of this sacred site. Thank you , Anne.