Deputy Warden Nic Ball of Lansing Correctional Facility looks at the signature of artist Ernest Aspinwall from 1957.

The Photography Tour

Hey there! We are giving you a heads-up that the photography tour follows the same route as the regular tour. We’ve made the photography tour three hours instead of two because we’ve noticed that people with cameras tend to take a bit longer at each stop. We want everyone to have a great time, so we want to ensure you know that before you book.

Our tourists have been a bit puzzled about where the tours start. The fun begins right here at the Museum, where we’ve been gathering Kansas State Penitentiary memorabilia since 1991. Join us for a fascinating journey through time and history!

From left to right in the picture: Jeff Conklin, Vice President of the Lansing Historical Society and Museum; Debra Bates-Lamborn, President; Gloria Geither, the Deputy Secretary of Facility Management for the Kansas Department of Corrections; Todd Thompson, Leavenworth County Attorney; and Senator Jeff Pittman. Senator Pittman played a crucial role in the Historical Society's acquisition of the prison for tours. of the prison for tours. 

On Monday, September 9, 2024, a historical moment unfolded in front of Tower One at the Kansas State Penitentiary. This institution, with a rich history dating back to 1859, has been a significant part of our community. In a gesture of utmost respect and honor, Gloria Geither, the Deputy Secretary of Facility Management for the Kansas Department of Corrections, who has been a guiding force since the beginning, handed over the keys to the institution.

On Friday the 13th, we are opening the doors of the Kansas State Penitentiary for a unique and unforgettable experience. You can secure your spot for this rare opportunity at Lansingkansashistory.com. The tours will be running throughout September, with the last one of the season on October 26th.

Don’t miss out on a truly historic event – the first annual “Behind the Walls” car show. This exclusive event, a rare opportunity to step inside KSP, will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Be sure to mark your calendars for this unique glimpse into the history of the Kansas State Penitentiary.

Get ready to rev your engines and join in the excitement at our second annual car show at the historic Kansas State Penitentiary on Saturday, September 27, 2025! This year, we’re throwing open the gates to everyone, so gather your friends and family for a day of automotive fun!

For just $25, you can bring your car along (drivers included!), with the same fee for passengers and walk-ins. And guess what? This isn’t just about cars—it’s also a fantastic fundraiser for the Lansing Historical Society and Museum, so you’ll be supporting a great cause while having a blast!

We have tons of space for all the jaw-dropping vehicles, and the ballfield is ready for action too. So polish up those wheels and prepare for a day filled with spectacular cars, good vibes, and lots of excitement! We can’t wait to see you there!

For just $25, you can bring your car along (drivers included!), with the same fee for passengers and walk-ins. And guess what? This isn’t just about cars—it’s also a fantastic fundraiser for the Lansing Historical Society and Museum, so you’ll be supporting a great cause while having a blast!

Exciting news! After much anticipation, the Lansing Historical Society and Museum is thrilled to announce the official opening of the historic Kansas State Penitentiary for tours starting on Friday, September 13. Immerse yourself in history and book your tour on our website, on the Menu bar of this website. Join us for an unforgettable journey through time!

Lansing Historical Society Announces Exciting Developments for Kansas State
Penitentiary Site

Lansing, KS — The Lansing Historical Society is excited to provide updates on the development at the former Kansas State Penitentiary. First proposed to the Lansing Historical Society by Kansas Senator Jeff Pittman and his wife, Leavenworth Mayor Pro Tem Holly Pittman, the proposed development – inspired by the Missouri State Penitentiary’s work – has the potential to not only save the Penitentiary from demolition and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, but also to transform it into a thriving hub for tourism, attracting visitors from all over.

“After a comprehensive tour of the prison and a thorough understanding of the potential it holds, we unanimously agreed that this was an opportunity not to be missed,” said the Lansing Historical Society, showing their full support for the project.

The Kansas Department of Corrections and the Lansing Historical Society recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Historic Kansas State Penitentiary Site.
Additionally, Senator Pittman secured state funding to stabilize the roof and walls while partners develop a comprehensive plan for the site.

“The former Penitentiary has so much history – Johnny Cash performed for prisoners there in 1970, it’s the site of some of the highest profile executions in Kansas history, and the stories from the guards and inmates from the prison’s founding during the Civil War provide a unique story that deserves to be told,” Senator Jeff Pittman said. “We’re working with stakeholders to develop branding and acquire historical artifacts to present this rich history in a compelling way to visitors.”

The project has already attracted national attention. The Discovery Channel is planning a 2-hour special at the Kansas State Penitentiary to air on Halloween. The first annual “Behind the Walls” car show is a unique event inside the prison wall of the old Penitentiary, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And the Lansing Historical Society is developing a new website for ticket sales in the works, and a raffle for ten lucky winners, who will be the first to tour the prison, is on the horizon.

Before entering the Kansas State Penitentiary, tourists are required to sign a waiver and release of liability. A copy of the waiver will be available for signing at the Museum at 115 E. Kansas Avenue. However, if you would like to review it beforehand, we have posted it here for your convenience.

The tours will begin at the Lansing Historical Society and Museum, 115 East Kansas Ave.

Located on the front lawn of the former Kansas State Penitentiary, the Lansing Historical Society and Museum is a beacon of our community’s unique history. It preserves and shares the rich heritage of our town, woven through the threads of industry—railroads, Prisons, and Mining.
What sets our Museum apart? It’s not just a museum, it’s a journey through time. Housed in a fully restored 1887 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway depot, a pivotal player in our country’s railroad history, the Museum offers a unique experience. Our collection of photographs, spanning from the early days of the prisons in the area to the school pictures dating back to 1908, is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.

Mission Statement

Our mission is clear: to share the rich history of Delaware Township. We do this through our historic Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway depot and our extensive collections. Our dedication to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting authentic historical materials is what sets us apart.
Our Museum is more than just a collection of artifacts. We’re on a mission to preserve the history of Delaware Township, the Town of Progress, the City of Lansing, the Kansas State Penitentiary at Lansing, and the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, KS. Through our extensive collection of photographs and artifacts, we aim to broaden the public’s historical knowledge and keep these important stories alive.

Trains and Trolleys

At the height of the Civil War, with unity so much on his mind, President Abraham Lincoln sought a way to connect and secure the great expanse of our nation. It came in the form of the transcontinental railroad. With it came a host of smaller railroads going through towns like Lansing, Maltby, Pope, Ettenson, Delaware, Richardson, Wadsworth, and Bain City. Some of these towns are but a memory today. Lansing saw all of these railroads making their way through Delaware Township, including the Kansas City-Western Railway Co. From timetables to engineering documents, maps to books, we offer a wealth of railroad information.
The Museum keeps those memories alive with newspaper articles from the day, artifacts, and historical photographs.

The Coal Mines

The discovery of coal in the area opened up three coal mines in Delaware Township: Carr, Brighton, and the prison. Kansas State Prison mined coal for years, using this rich ore to fuel not only the prison but also many of the state buildings.

Kansas State Penitentiary

The Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing is one of the oldest correctional institutions in the country. It started as early as 1859 when the Constitution of Territorial Kansas authorized it. Architect Erasmus T. Carr, inspired by the Illinois State Prison at Joliet, designed the prison, and construction took five years, starting in 1864. In its early days, the prison mandated that all officials live nearby, and a town known as the Town of Progress grew around the prison.

Until 1965, KSP conducted hangings for state, federal, and military prisoners. Lowell Andrews, a University of Kansas student, murdered his parents and sister in the Wolcott, Kansas family home on November28, 1958 and he would be executed in 1962.

Perry Smith and Richard Hickock followed him to the gallows on April 14, 1965. They were found guilty of killing four members of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas. The murders were the subject of Truman Capote’s novel, In Cold Blood.

George York and James Latham would be the last to hang on the gallows of KSP. They were two privates found guilty of a killing spree in 1961 and were hung from the gallows June 22, 1965.

The infamous gallows once occupied a corner of the warehouse before being dismantled and acquired by the Kansas State Historical Society.

History of
Delaware Township

Delaware Township, home to the towns of Lansing, Progress, Brighton, Delaware, Richardson, Morgantown, Xavier, Wadsworth, and Bain City, is the heart of our community’s history. The Lansing Historical Society and Museum celebrates the unique stories of these communities through our extensive collections, ensuring that their contributions are never forgotten.
In the 1880s, L.V. Harkness, vice president of Standard Oil, began buying hundreds of acres of land there. He built the Brighton Mine, the Brighton Mine Railroad, and the town of Brighton because he said he saw the promise of a profitable future. The Brighton miners ultimately went on strike, and the owner closed it.
Cattle farms and apple orchards flourished in the rolling hills that made up the countryside. One of those ranches was the Ryan Brothers Cattle Farm. The four brothers were nationally known for their cattle and the thousands upon thousands of acres of land they owned in California, Texas, Montana, and Kansas. Matt Ryan would die a tragic death while riding his horse on the farm. The place of his death is now the site of Lansing High School.
It was said that George C. Richardson was the first child born in Leavenworth. George would be a business success with the Missouri Valley Orchard Company and the Carr Mine.