Freedom's Frontier

The Allen County Historical Society was formed in 1956 after the Allen County Centennial Celebration in 1955.

Since our inception, we have grown to five buildings, four of which are museums open to the public five days a week. This includes the Allen County Historical Museum (located at 20 South Washington), the Major General Frederick Funston Boyhood Home and Museum (located at 14 South Washington), the Allen County Old Jail Museum (located at 203 North Jefferson), and our sole non-museum building, the Frederick Funston Meeting Hall (located at 207 North Jefferson).

The Allen County Historical Museum shares the story of Allen County, Kansas. Founded in 1855, Allen County is one of the first 33 counties organized in Kansas. Named after William Allen, a United States senator in Ohio, the first county seat was established at Cofachique.

The Major General Frederick Funston Boyhood Home and Museum tell the life story of Frederick Funston. Known as the "Man Who Saved San Francisco" during the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, Funston was also a traveler, explorer, botanist, and a three star general in the United States Army. Standing at only 5'4", Funston was the commanding officer for Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Pershing. The Boyhood Home is exhibited with furniture of the period of Funston's childhood.

The Allen County Old Jail Museum, built in 1869, is staged to look as it did when in use with the warden's quarters on the second floor and metal cells on the first floor. The Jail is open May through September.

The Frederick Funston Meeting Hall, formerly the Gallery Museum, is now used to hold meetings and gatherings for the Historical Society and can be rented for groups. Call the Historical Society to find out more about having your next group meeting or event at the Frederick Funston Meeting Hall.