Why You Should Go...

Step into the past at the Riley County Historical Museum to explore local history from settlement during the tumultuous territorial days of the 1850s through the present. For the past 100 years, changing exhibits have showcased Riley County’s history through all its dimensions: pioneers and prohibition, land grant education and luxury resorts, ranchers and reservoirs, forts and farmers, and more.

On the grounds are the Hartford House, a prefabricated building that arrived on the steamboat Hartford in 1855, and the Randolph Jail, relocated when Tuttle Creek Reservoir was built. Next door is the Goodnow House State Historic Site, home of Kansas State and Manhattan founder Isaac Goodnow. A research archive and library, full of interesting information about Riley County and Riley Countians, is available by appointment.

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Why You Should Go...

Step into the past at the Riley County Historical Museum to explore local history from settlement during the tumultuous territorial days of the 1850s through the present. For the past 100 years, changing exhibits have showcased Riley County’s history through all its dimensions: pioneers and prohibition, land grant education and luxury resorts, ranchers and reservoirs, forts and farmers, and more.

On the grounds are the Hartford House, a prefabricated building that arrived on the steamboat Hartford in 1855, and the Randolph Jail, relocated when Tuttle Creek Reservoir was built. Next door is the Goodnow House State Historic Site, home of Kansas State and Manhattan founder Isaac Goodnow. A research archive and library, full of interesting information about Riley County and Riley Countians, is available by appointment.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round; Closed on: Monday

Hours: Open Now. Closes 5:00 PM

Sunday: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Saturday: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Cost: Free

Access: Wheelchair, Public Transportation, Service Animals

Parking: Free On-site, Bus

Available: Self-Guided Tour, Guided Tour, Private Tour, Family Restroom, Gift Shop, Souvenirs

Fun Facts

The Riley County Historical Museum is over 100 years old, established in 1916. Its first museum, Pioneer Log Cabin in Manhattan City Park, is still open Sunday 2 to 5 (April through October), just as it was over 100 years ago.

Riley County has been home to many interesting people: movie stars (Inger Stevens and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), writers (Damon Runyon), aviation pioneers (A.K. Longren), sports figures (Eldon Auker), musicians (Jerry Wexler), poets (Frank Marshall Davis) and many more noted on their website. 

The first (or one of the first, depending how you look at it) land grant college in the nation, Kansas State University, is in Riley County. The home of Isaac Goodnow, founder of this first land grant college, is right next door to the Riley County Historical Museum and open for visits.