Crawford County in Pittsburg, Kansas is a small town with a very interesting history. The area of Southeast Kansas was settled by immigrants from Europe who came here looking for a good life. Coal was discovered in this area in 1857 and Crawford County became one of the biggest producers of coal in the state of Kansas. The prosperity brought about by coal mining, especially in the Weir-Pittsburg coalfield, ensured that the area developed dramatically. The coal mined here played an important role in the development of railways in the United States since coal was used to power steam engines. The Crawford County Historical Museum is a small but important place which showcases the interesting history of this town.
Located at 651, South Highway 69 in Pittsburg, the Crawford County Historical Museum is open from Thursday to Sunday from noon until 4 pm. However, the museum can also be opened at other times in case there is a group that wants to see the exhibits. The museum does not charge a fee for admission. However, visitors who are interested in helping out with its upkeep can leave a donation and indeed, many people do so.
The Crawford County Historical Museum is a great place to get a feel of small town America. It is filled with a number of artefacts and objects that gives visitors a good idea of how this part of America was built. As a matter of fact, this museum is believed to have one of the biggest collections of historical artifacts that have been sourced from the mining camps that once dotted this and surrounding areas. The museum has been very successful in achieving its objective of preserving this unique slice of American history.
The Crawford County Historical Museum is like no other place because it focuses entirely on Pittsburg’s past as a coal mining town. The museum contains models of mining camps; visitors can get a very good idea of what life was like in those tough times. The models of the mining operations in existence during the years of peak coal production are also very interesting. The museum also has owns a huge steam shovel that was once used in the Weir-Pittsburg Coalfield. Another interesting exhibit in the museum is a large canon that was most likely used in the American Civil War. Originally from Seville, Spain and most likely forged in 1806, the canon is a truly impressive sight to see. The museum also has a fire truck used in the old days.
The Crawford County Historical Museum plays a very important role in preserving this part of America’s history. As a matter of fact, it also contains a few heritage buildings which would otherwise have most probably been destroyed. The museum also hosts the Southeast Kansas Old Time Gas Engine and Tractor Show every year in June and again in October. Anyone passing through Missouri, Kansas should definitely drop into the museum in order to gain perspective about the coal mining area.
