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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

The Historic Santa Fe Depot

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Battle of Black Jack

This battle was part of the struggle to make Kansas a free state. In May, 1856, Pro-slavery men destroyed buildings and newspaper presses in Lawrence, Free-State headquarters. John Brown's company then killed 5

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Collins Library

Collins Library is the Baker University Library but also houses the Methodist Historical Library and two of the nation's top collections - The Quayle Rare Bible Collection and Rev. Coole's Ancient Chinese Coin Collection.

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Area History Mural

The mural depicting area history was painted by local artist, Tom Russell. It is displayed in the Baldwin State Bank.

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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.

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