Osawatomie History & Railroad Museum

The story of Osawatomie is preserved and displayed at the Osawatomie History & Railroad Museum through artifacts and records that highlight the concepts, habits, skills, arts, instruments, and institutions of the residents and their surrounding area. From its beginnings as an Indian Mission to its fame as an "abolitionists' nest" during the territorial Border Wars, to its recognition as a railroad metropolis and a national leader in mental health, Osawatomie, Kansas, has truly been "one of a kind." Unique in name and character, Osawatomie and its story provide insight into significant events in Kansas and the nation. The story is complex, evolving from the events and the people who have contributed to its development and telling. The Osawatomie History Museum, founded in 1990, focuses on the history of the city itself, from the territorial Kansas period through its evolution from rural life to its current establishments and the people who experienced those changes. The MoPac Railroad Depot Museum, opened in 2002, is a replica of the 1890 Missouri Pacific passenger depot that celebrates the "glory days" of railroading. Caboose #942, the last surviving horizontal wood-sheathed caboose in the Missouri Pacific Line, has been restored to its 1940s condition. We hope you can find time to visit our museums with your friends and family soon to explore the story of Osawatomie.