The Seward County Coronado Museum
Established in 1961 though the efforts of four Liberal Businessmen, Robert Baughman, Fred Hill, Lewis Eyman and Oliver Brown aided by Auburn Light and Harry Chrisman.
Housed in a landmark structure originally built in 1918 as the residence of the Lee Larrabee family, the building retains the warmth and style of early Western home. Oak staircase, paneled walls and floors add charm to the treasures of the people who settled in Seward County Kansas.
In Keeping with its affiliation with the Seward County Historical Society, the Museum houses and displays many of the antiques, heirlooms and pictures of early day Seward County. Longtime Liberal resident Don Rash also helped create an exhibit that pays tribute to the culture of the Native American Indians who inhabited the Land long before Coronado or the early settlers set foot on the prairie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A27wVZIKjg
- Free Admission
- 1540 Coronado Expedition
- Tribes of the Great Plains
- Ghost Towns of Seward County
- County Seat Wars
- Postcards from across Kansa
- And so much more
Hours:
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9:00AM–5:00PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM–5:00PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM–5:00PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM–5:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM–5:00PM |
| Sunday | 1:00AM–5:00PM |
Memorial Day-Labor Day:
| Monday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM–6:00PM |
| Sunday | 1:00PM–6:00PM |
The statue pointing the way……
The statue pointing the way to Coronado Museum from the U.S Highway 54 as you enter Liberal is Don Francisco Vasquez De Coronado. Coronado, with 36 soldiers and Father Juan de Padilla, marched north from the Rio Grande valley in the spring of 1541. Coronado’s objective was the land of Quivira, described to the Spaniards as a fabulously wealthy kingdom where gold was commonplace. In June the expedition entered present Kansas presumably at or near here, and moved on northeastward across the Arkansas River to what is now Rice and McPherson counties. The Spaniards found no gold, only the grass lodges of the Quiviran Indians, and the guide who misled Coronado was killed. Leaving behind them a legend and a few small items, on display in the local museum that bears Coronado name.
8 foot bronze Coronado
In 1979, Coronado’s adventures in the New World were honored with the erection of a striking 8 foot bronze likeness of Coronado. The over sided and very detailed sculpted was created by Beverly and Malcolm Frazier and designed by Bernard E. Frazier in 1978.
Coronado expatiation is represented in the museum by a Spanish bridle bit, which has been authenticated as belonging to his party.
Coronado exploring Kansas
Coronado led a caravan that historians have characterized as one of the greatest land expeditions the world has known, but when he returned to Mexico without gold in 1541, his mission initially was considered a failure.
When Coronado and his 30 mounted men and six foot soldiers left on their journey June 1, 1541 They had no idea what Lay ahead in Kansas. Crossing the land of the present day Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles often following the buffalo and Indian trails, Coronado entered what would be known as Kansas near Liberal. Journals kept by Coronado and his scribes tell of crossing the Arkansas River, June 29, 1541. The journals also mentioned numerous encounters with “shaggy cows” (buffalo). The meat from these animals provided the Spaniards with much needed food as their supplies ran short.
After more than a month spent in exploring central Kansas, the expedition returned to the Southwest, disappointed in the quest for riches but favorably impressed by the land itself. Juan Jaramillo, Coronado’s lieutenant, wrote: “It is not a hilly country, but has table~lands, plains, and charming rivers. . .. I am of the belief that it will be very productive of all sorts of commodities.
Searching for the Cities of Gold…
The Seward County Historical Museum offers a collection of items dating back to 1541 when Don Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and 36 soldiers entered what is now Southwest Kansas searching for the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold.” An eight-foot bronze statue of Coronado points the way to the museum from US Highway 54.
The museum is housed in a charming house built in 1918 and moved from its original location at 510 N Lincoln to the present site. It still retains the warmth and charm it held as a family home. The solid light oak paneling, banisters and flooring would be difficult to duplicate today.
Featured at the museum is a collection of items used in the settlement of the Kansas Territory during its Wild West days. Visitors can see weapons, an antique organ, quilts and home furnishings. In addition, there is an exhibit that pays tribute to the culture of the Native American Indians who lived on the land long before Coronado set foot here. Traveling exhibits that feature artifacts of other museums and collectors also are a major part of the Seward County Historical Museum.
The museum grounds include native plants such as tamarack, sand hill plums, cottonwood trees and wild roses.