Old Depot Museum

Focused on railroad and local history, the Old Depot Museum is the official museum of the Franklin County (Kansas) Historical Society.

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Other (more active) active places to find us:
Facebook: @olddepotmuseum
Instagram and Threads: @olddepotmuseumkansas

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

The new building—designed to accommodate 200 people—was officially opened with a ribbon cutting on August 27, 2016. #OttawaKS #KansasHistory

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Established as “Third Baptist Church” in 1867, Bethany Chapel Missionary Baptist Church is one of the oldest continuously active congregations in Franklin County and the oldest operating church with historically African American roots. #OttawaKS #KansasHistory

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

On August 5, 2014, a lightning strike destroyed the historic church building. The congregation made their temporary home at OU’s Fredrikson Chapel as they rebuilt at the same location. #OttawaKS #KansasHistory

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Spirited events are coming to Ottawa this October! FCHS is partnering with OMA to offer paranormal investigations of the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium October 25-26! Tickets $50-$100. Check out our websites for more information. #OttawaKS #Paranormal #Ghosts #HauntedTheaters

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

*CORRECTION: The coach's name was Ron Mann, not Ron Miller.

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

August 16, 1993: Coach Ron Miller walks among the football players during a Ottawa High School football team practice. That year, the Cyclone would finish 5-4, winning the Huron League Championship.
@ottawa290 #KansasSports #KansasHistory #OttawaKS

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Here are Lincoln Elementary School students boarding the Ottawa Public Schools bus during the 1962-1963 academic year. #OttawaKS @Ottawa290 #KansasHistory #KSed

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

SCHOOL BUSES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. Students are heading back to the classroom, and that means the school buses will be back on the streets! Here are a few of our favorite school bus pictures from the Franklin County Historical Society's collection. #KansasHistory #ksed

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

This picture shows students packed into the Appanoose Rural High School bus during the 1940-1941 academic year. #KansasHistory #KSed

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Our families have great stories. Kim Stanley will walk us through ways to write them down. Join us for this free workshop on August 10! This program is made possible thanks to Humanities Kansas. Learn more: https://t.co/hP4IuUxbrp #genealogy

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Heavy rains followed the tornado. According to John P. Kelsey’s weather station in North Ottawa, 7.95 inches of rain fell in the 12 hours following the tornado. #kswx #KansasHistory #OttawaKS

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

On August 5, 1954, 8:15 p.m., an F1 tornado touched down at 3rd & Ash in #OttawaKS. It crossed the Marais des Cygnes River, damaging the old ice plant and breaking windows at the Ottawa Co-Op building on N Main before turning toward the Bob White Motor Company used car lot. #KSWX

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

Dealership owner Robert J. White and his daughter, June (White) Foulks were seriously injured when the new car shed was lifted into the air and collapsed. June’s husband, Wilbur, and three-year-old daughter, Debbie, were uninjured.

[Old Depot Museum @OldDepotMuseum]

At FCHS, we spend much of our time thinking about the past, but this time, we're hosting @ottawaksgov in a quest to shape the future! The city wants your input as it drafts a new comprehensive plan. Meeting at the FCHS Archives & Research Center.

[CityofOttawa @ottawaksgov]

Join us this Wednesday for the final Comprehensive Plan info session! Learn about the City’s Comprehensive Plan revision process and find out what steps we are taking to create a plan that reflects Ottawa’s goals for the future. https://t.co/WGJdk2piv6. #ottawaks