About
Mission
Preserving Elk County History for the Future.
About Our Museums
The Howard Benson Museums' collection contains over 50,000 items and covers over 150 years of Elk County history, from the 1860's to the present. The collection includes antique farm machinery, vintage clothing, military artifacts, an outfitted one-room schoolhouse, a tiny house, an authentic vintage gas station, a bee processing building, quilts, an extensive collection of over 3,500 dolls and more!


What to Expect
We recommend you begin your journey at 141 S. Wabash, home to the Main Museum where you'll find an array of vintage clothing, local high school memorabilia, vintage furniture, and our iconic Jenny Lind dress.
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On South Wabash, immerse yourself in the region's rich heritage at the Auxiliary Building, housing a General Store, post office, early medical offices, military memorabilia, and our quilt collection. Adjacent to this, the Benson Doll Museum showcases over 3,500 dolls. The journey continues on North Wabash, where you'll encounter the Gragg Memorial Agricultural building, a testament to the area's agricultural roots. Delight in the nostalgia of the historic gas station and the educational value of the Union Center One-Room Schoolhouse. Then, step into the past with the Mittie Davis Tiny House, once the home of a prominent Howard citizen's housekeeper. Finally, marvel at the Heisler Honey House, an iconic symbol of the region's farming legacy.
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Step inside each of these unique buildings and let their stories take you on a captivating journey through time.
Meet Our Curator
Meet Marcia Taylor-Trump, the dedicated Curator of the Howard Benson Museums since January 2017. Marcia graduated from North Elk High School (formerly Howard High School) in 1971 and went on to earn her degree from Fort Hays State University. After a 40-year career in education, she retired in May 2016 from various schools across Kansas, including Moline, Cedar Vale, Scott City Schools, and Garden City. Her passion for history, especially Kansas and Elk County History, inspired her to become our Museum Curator.
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Marcia has worked tirelessly to enhance the museums, enriching exhibits with captivating stories and involving students in the history of Elk County. She has also actively engaged the community by organizing sponsored events. A proud member of several organizations, including the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Chapter R P.E.O., Elk County Community Foundation, Carter-Rader Unit #0149 of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Howard Chamber of Commerce, Marcia has a deep connection with her community.
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Marcia is happily married to John Trump and is a proud mother of two children. Marcia also has seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her passion for history and commitment to preserving the heritage of Howard and Elk County make Marcia an invaluable asset to the Howard Benson Museums.
