Museums offer educational opportunities
Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Three temporary exhibits will be on display at Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History, on Sternberg Drive in Hays, through late August and September.
The Grandeur of Life celebrates the work of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution. Darwin began his scientific career as a naturalist, collecting plant and animal specimens. He was the author of the "Origin of Species." The Darwin exhibit continues through Sept. 30.
On display through the end of August is a diverse display of plants and animals that inhabit the earth. It is an exhibit of diversity endangered.
Created by the Smithsonian Institutes, it examines the issues surrounding the problem and illustrates some of the ways each of us can make a difference.
What better way to explore nature than through the ever-popular Peanuts, created by artist Charles Schulz. The exhibit, which runs until early September, explores Schulz's interpretation of the natural world in seven themed areas: The Universe; Trees, Glorious Trees; The Elements (rain, snow and wind); For the Birds; The Web of Nature; Gardening; and Charlie Brown's EPA Escapade.
Those are just the traveling exhibits.
Permanent exhibits at the museum include the world famous "Fish Within a Fish" and a three-dimensional fossil preparation of a plesiosaur, a marine reptile.
Animatronic growling dinosaurs are featured along the late Cretaceous period walk. There are plenty of fossils and other natural history items to gaze at.
Ongoing exhibits include "John Cody: Audubon of Moths," which shows Cody's fascination with giant silk moths through painting. Cody premieres new watercolors he creates in the ever-changing exhibit.
There also is the Discovery Room at Sternberg, a place for children to experience live animals and take part in hands-on projects, and an education floor with classrooms for learning activities.
Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Labor Day and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays through Labor Day.
Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays. For details, call (785) 628-2624 or go to sternberg.fhsu.edu.
The gift store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission prices are $8 for adults 13 through 59 and $6 for seniors 60 and older and $5 for youth 4 through 12. FHSU students with university identification cards are admitted for $4.
Memberships -- single, family and other groups -- are available, as well as group tour reservations at (785) 628-5298.
More information about the museum can be obtained by calling (785) 628-4286 or toll free at (877) 332-1165.
Ellis County Historical Society
History from Wild West through World War II can be viewed at Ellis County Historical Society Museum, 100 W. Seventh in Hays.
The saloon is a great place to learn to play cowboy card games.
The learning center for children has a photo gallery, try-on clothes, old-time toys, farm animals and diorama, and more.
The Stone Chapel, built in 1879, is the site of several temporary exhibits, including an annual wedding exhibit in June.
The Harness Shop, an original store from the early 1900s located on the grounds, displays saddles and other related items, telling the story of Ellis County ranchers.
The replica Volga-German Haus, also located on the museum grounds, tells the story of Ellis County's largest immigrant group, the Volga-Germans, who settled in Ellis County after temporarily relocating to Russia for more than 100 years.
Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children ages 5 to 12. Historical society members and children under 5 are free.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. For details, call (785) 628-2624 or go to www.elliscountyhistorical museum.org.
Chrysler Boyhood Home and Museum
Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home and Museum, 102 W. 10th in Ellis, was placed on the National Registry of Historical Buildings in 1952. A 1924 Chrysler owned by Chrysler's grandson Frank Rhodes is on exhibit, along with the shotgun he used duck hunting, jewelry, books, photographs and a video of Chrysler's life.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday from October to April; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from May to September.
More information is available by calling (785) 726-3636 or by going to www.chrysler boyhoodhome.com.
Ellis Railroad Museum
At the Ellis Railroad Museum, 911 Washington in Ellis, train lovers will enjoy the BKE miniature train ride on a one-third scale General Motors Aero Streamliner around a 2.5-mile track outside the building.
One can view railroad artifacts and more than 5,000 square feet of working model train layout.
There is an Ellis History Room, Union Pacific caboose, model train display, depot room and depot building.
A doll museum is in the upper level, featuring more than 1,600 baby, clown, bride, Barbie and international dolls.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from April to October and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from November to March. Year-round, it is open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for anyone 12 and older and $1 for 5 to 12 years old.
More information can be found by contacting the museum at (785) 726-4493 or at ellisrrm@triohomecenter.com. The website is www.ellis.ks.us/rrmuseum.html.
Bukovina Society of the Americas
Bukovina Society, 718 Washington in Ellis, is in the former First Congregational Church with a library and a collection of artifacts from Bukovina immigrants. The collection includes coins, tools, stamps, and hand-painted or beaded eggs.
In 1886, Bukovina German families began to settle in Ellis. Their descendants continue to make up a large percentage of the town's population. Through the decades, younger generations have somewhat lost their understanding of their homeland and ancestors' experience.
The Bukovina Society of the Americas was formed in 1988 to promote the recognition of the immigrants from Bukovina and encourage historical research of their heritage.
Tour information is available from Martha McClelland, who can be reached at info@bukovinasociety.org.
The website is www.buko vinasociety.org.