Finney County Museum
"Preserving the Past to Enlighten the Future"
The Finney County Museum is located at 403 S. 4th Street, at the entrance to Lee Richardson Zoo. The museum features permanent and revolving exhibits, community programs, educational tours and extensive research facilities. The permanent displays include: Spirit of the Plains, C.J. "Buffalo" Jones: Last of the Plainsmen, Take Stock in Finney County, and The Sugar Beet Factory.
The museum grounds feature the Pleasant Valley One-Room Schoolhouse c. 1890, and the Fulton House, the 1884 home of William D. and Luticia Fulton, plus charming flower and herb gardens. These buildings are available for scheduled tours. Located off the exhibit hall, a unique gift shop is filled with Kansas memorabilia, educational gifts, old-fashioned toys, Victorian Greeting cards, history book, and a wide range of items representing the diversity of the region.
The museum offers a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all ages! A visit provides a look into the spirit, past and present of Southwest Kansas.
Open 7 Days a Week
(except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years)
Hours:
Memorial Day - Labor Day
10 am - 5 pm Monday-Saturday
1 pm - 5 pm Sunday
Winter Hours
1 pm - 5 pm daily
Suggested donation:
Adults - $2.00
Children - $1.00
620-272-3664
fico.historical@gcnet.com
http://www.finneycounty.org/history
Sandsage Bison Refuge and Wildlife Area
Formerly known as the Finney Game Refuge - is located south of the river bridge on Bus. U.S. 83, the Finney Game Refuge is 3,670 acres of sandsage prairie biome. Not only is this area noted for its unique vegetative character, but it is also home to the oldest publicly owned bison herd in Kansas. The herd was started when the state received one bull and two cows from an Oklahoma preserve in 1924. Other animals inhabiting the refuge are: lesser prairie chickens, ground squirrels, quail, jackrabbits and deer. The refuge is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Tours are available by arrangement through the Friends of Sandsage Bison Refuge. Call (620) 276-9400 and leave a message.
Lee Richardson Zoo
Go on safari right here in Garden City! The Lee Richardson Zoo offers beautiful grounds and fascinating creatures from all over the globe. Over 350 animals are displayed within the 47-acre grounds. The zoo is designed for fun, learning and discovery and is accessible by foot, car or bicycle. Pedestrians are admitted free, while nonmember vehicles pay a nominal admission fee.
From huge elephants frolicking in their pool to the tiniest of birds flitting like jewels through the lush aviary, the zoo offers a wonderful variety of species. Visit the Wild Asia exhibit, featuring Asian plants, architecture and animals like the Bactrian camel, siamang, red panda, and the beautiful but powerful snow leopards. Don't miss the newly completed Kansas Waters Exhibit. The North American River otters housed here will delight you with their energy and antics, swimming and cavorting about the display.
The zoo takes an active role in global conservation programs aimed at protecting many rare and endangered species. Look for the Species Survival Plan symbol throughout the zoo indicating species involved in our conservation program.
Tours and programs are available at no cost through the education division. Trained zoo Docents (volunteer teachers) share their knowledge and enthusiasm about the zoo and its inhabitants. Advance reservations are required. The Safari Shoppe is the place to shop for souvenirs, food, T-shirts and gifts. All profits go toward zoo improvements.
Hours:
The zoo is open 7 days a week:
8:00 AM - 7:30 PM during Daylight Savings Time (first Sunday in April until last Sunday in October)
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM during Central Standard Time
The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
620-276-1250
zoo@garden-city.org
http://www.garden-city.org/zoo/
The Art CENTER on Main
318 N. Main - Located in the heart of downtown, the Art CENTER of Main offers an intriguing array of fine art, photography, textile and other revolving art exhibits for all tastes. In addition, the center conducts art classes for all ages and has a delightful gift gallery featuring one of a kind art and jewelry. The Arts Center is owned and operated by the Southwest Arts & Humanities Council.
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 10:00a.m.-5:30p.m. Saturday, 10:00a.m.-3:30p.m.
620-260-9700
Mercer Gallery
801 N. Campus - Mercer Gallery is located in the west wing of the Pauline Joyce Fine Arts Building at Garden City Community College. The campus is on the east side of Garden City, just west of Campus Drive and just south of Kansas Avenue. Mercer Gallery is open free to the public during exhibition dates throughout the college academic year. The gallery observes regular campus holiday and vacation periods. Fine Art exhibits September through May.
For schedule log onto: www.gcccks.edu/artsperform/mercer or call 620-276-9644, David Kinder, Gallery Director.
Hours:
Monday-Friday, Noon-4p.m. Sunday, 2-5p.m.
Sunflower Electric
The Sunflower Electric Holcomb Station is a 325-megawatt coal-fired generating plant which burns low-sulfur coal mined in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. The plant uses more than one million tons of coal each year. The method of creating electricity is a complicated but fascinating one. To learn more about the process, tours are available on a limited basis with advance notice. For information call 620-277-2590.
Windsor Hotel
Located at Main and Pine Streets, this historic four story hotel was often referred to as the "Waldorf of the Prairies". In 1887, John A. Stevens built the hotel next to his Opera House, constructed the year before in 1886 (The Opera House was razed in 1953). The Windsor was built of native stone and brick kilned locally. The hotel contained 125 rooms and one bathroom. Gas chandeliers lit the hotel until 1898 when electricity was installed.
The most remarkable feature of the hotel is an interior court in the center of the mezzanine, with a full-length skylight at its vaulted ceiling. Balconies of carved mahogany balustrades surround the court on three sides. The atrium on the second floor extends upward for three stories and is topped by a vaulted skylight. Balconies with mahogany balustrades surround the court on three sides; and the graceful stairways on the fourth side converge on the central court floor. The hotel rooms are arranged in two rows around the court, the interior row opening onto the central court.
The second floor of the hotel contained the large parlors, dining room, the Presidential Suite and John Stevens' private living quarters. The suite opened onto the court and folding doors provided direct access to the Opera House.
The Presidential Suite was a series of three rooms overlooking Main Street. One room was large enough to hold three large beds with room to spare. The most distinctive feature was a solid cherry wood fireplace decorated with hand painted Italian tile. It was reported that Lillian Russell, Eddie Foy, Buffalo Bill Cody and Jay Gould enjoyed the stately comforts of the Presidential Suite.In April of 1972, the Windsor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was closed as a hotel in 1977.
Because of its historic importance to local and state history, the Windsor Hotel is currently listed by the Kansas Preservation Alliance as one of the top five most endangered buildings in the state.
The Windsor Hotel is owned by the Finney County Preservation Alliance. Tours by appointment. Call 620-275-4340
www.gardencity.net/windsorAirport Raceway
Location: 11 miles east of Garden City on Hwy 50
Hours: Races run from May through September, every other Saturday.
Gates open and hot laps- 6:00 p.m.- Races -8:00p.m.
Watch the excitement of modified midget race cars speeding towards the finish line at this well maintained fifth mile high bank dirt track. The speed and quick action of modified midget racing make it an excellent spectator sport. Speeds reach as much as 70mph on the 1/5-mile oval course. A fun way to spend the evening for the entire family! Concession stand offers refreshments. For race schedule and more information call 620-275-6171 or log onto: www.airportraceway.com