A. Cowtown is supported through a partnership between Historic Wichita Cowtown, Inc. and the City of Wichita (KS) Division of Arts & Cultural Services.
A. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Cowtown is an outdoor attraction that sits on 23 acres off the Chisholm Trail. You will be doing a lot of walking. Also be sure to bring sunscreen.
A. It takes at least 1 1/2 hours to tour all the buildings. When you add in speaking with the interpreters, taking wagon rides and watching gunfights, the average visit is 2 hours or more.
A. Yes. Guided tours must be scheduled in advance by calling (316) 350-3323.
A. We're always looking for new Cowtown members since one visit is never enough to take in the whole experience. As a member, you can come to Cowtown as much as you like. Learn more about memberships.
A. Yes. Admission is $6.00 (including tax) per person regardless of age. Proof of membership is required.
A. A snack bar is located inside the Saloon with hot dogs, chips, candy, soda and Sarsaparilla for sale. Old-time candy and soda is also available in the Gift Shop.
A. Yes to both! We encourage you to take as many pictures as you want so you can remember your visit to Cowtown. Don't forget to share them on your personal Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #CowtownWOW.
A. Cowtown was established in 1950 and opened in 1955. It is one of the oldest open-air history museums in the Midwest.
A. Yes. Cowtown is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Only 3 percent of the nation's estimated 34,144 museums are accredited. Accreditation is the highest national recognition achievable by a museum that recognizes high standards in individual museums and ensures they continue to uphold public trust.
A. There are 54 historic and recreated buildings at Cowtown.
A. The Munger House, just west of the Orientation Building. This two-story residence was built in 1869 by Darius S. Munger on a plot of land near 10th and Waco.
A. Heller Cabin opened to the public in October 2009. It is the first building visitors encounter when entering Cowtown. The addition of Heller Cabin at Cowtown is especially significant because it is considered as one of the top 10 intact structures in the United States from the settlement period. It is also one of Cowtown's best documented properties because it was photographed, measured, and sketched and all its parts were numbered before it was dismantled and brought to Cowtown. Historic Wichita Cowtown, Inc. funded and oversaw efforts to move Heller Cabin from Elmo, Kan. to Cowtown and return it as closely as possible to its original state. Heller Cabin was built by Civil War veteran Leonhard Hoffman, who expertly cut and pieced the logs together.
A. Yes. Cowtown has an artifact collection that consists of more than 10,000 authentic objects from 1865-1880. The collection is owned by Historic Wichita Cowtown, Inc.
A. No. Wichita's original city limits extended from the Arkansas River east to Broadway.
A. Absolutely! Billy the Kid and his family lived in Wichita. So did Wyatt Earp (for one year) and William Barclay "Bat" Masterson.
