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Old Castle Museum Complex


category : Museums
Old Castle Museum Complex The 3-story native sandstone Castle was the first home of Baker University, Kansas' oldest 4-year college. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places , it was built in 1857 and 1858, at a cost of $3,200 and includes native wood - mostly walnut - woodwork. It provided a "sight to behold" for pioneers traveling the historic Santa Fe Trail during the 1850s and 1860s who could see it for miles over the treeless prairie before their rumbling wagons actually came alongside it.


It now houses an outstanding museum of the University and Baldwin as well as the Santa Fe Trail. The third floor, originally donated by the Palmyra Masonic Lodge, has been designated as the state's Masonic Historic Lodge #1.


Also on the Complex grounds is the Palmyra Post Office and the Kibbee Cabin.


Hours: Old Castle Museum is open by appointment.
Address: 511 5th Street, Elm and Fremont
Phone: 785-594-8380
Our Website:www.bakeru.edu/old-castle-museum

Come visit us in Baldwin City, Kansas

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Grove and West Parks

Grove Park, Fremont and Third, and West Park, 11th and High, are tree-shaded city-owned parks equipped with children's playground areas with swings, slides, and other equipment.

Baldwin City, KS Parks

Santa Fe Trail Well

Located three blocks north of Highway 56 on Washington Street in Baldwin (the only Palmyra street to still carry its original name), the Santa Fe Trail Well provided the first fresh water for travelers on the Trail.

Hand dug to 40 feet, it was later deepened to 70

Baldwin City, KS Pioneer Life

Allen (Depot) Park

Allen Park, Main and High streets in West Baldwin (formerly Media), is privately owned and maintained by the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society. While privately owned, it is open to the public and offers a ball field, play area and shelterhouse with picnic tables, running water and grills.

Baldwin City, KS Parks

Palmyra Post Office

Located at the Old Castle Complex is the Palmyra Post Office and Blood's Grocery which opened in 1857. Originally located north of the highway on the Santa Fe Trail, it served travelers on the trail and the pioneer community of Palmyra, the original townsite later to become Baldwin City.

Baldwin City, KS Pioneer Life

Kibbee Cabin

[Kibbee Cabin] The Kibbee Cabin is a reproduction of a log cabin which stood on the crest of the Santa Fe Ridge (commonly called "Big Hill") north of Baldwin where a group of Methodist ministers met to form Baker University in 1857

Baldwin City, KS Pioneer Life

Things to do Museums near Baldwin City, KS

Old Jefferson Town, Museum, and Research Library

Heartland Orthodox Christian Museum

Santa Fe Depot Museum

Eudora Community Museum

Nincehelser House