What is the history of Smoky Hill Museum?
In 1879, town founder W. A. Phillips organized the Saline County Historical Society. Members were required to donate an artifact. When A. M. Campbell, another town founder, became secretary of the SCHS, he and his wife started collecting the artifacts in their home at 122 S. Ninth. Eventually, Campbell and his wife requested space for artifacts at the public library and the collection was moved there. In 1956 the collection was moved to Oakdale Park and housed in the old swimming pool bathhouse. The Smoky Hill Historical Museum began operating as a history resource branch of the Salina Public Library. By 1984 responsibility for the collection was transferred to the City of Salina and when the City acquired the former post office building, the collection was moved to the basement while the building was being renovated. The Smoky Hill Museum, located at 211 W. Iron, opened its doors as a free museum, operated by the City of Salina, to the public in October of 1986. In 1996 it was renovat
