The Superior Express -

The Kansas Historical Society announced the Kansas State Historic Sites around the state will offer free admission as of April 19. These 16 state historic sites explore topics in Kansas history, including Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War, forts and trails, Native American history, and Kansas families.

“We want Kansas history to be accessible to everyone,” said Patrick Zollner, executive director, Kansas Historical Society. “We are offering free admission for Kansas families to enjoy trips to state historic sites and discover the interesting people and history they represent.”

Five state historic sites are open year-round. Constitution Hall State Historic Site in Lecompton is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fort Hays State Historic Site in Hays is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. John Brown Museum State Historic Site in Osawatomie, operated through a partnership, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, please call ahead to confirm. Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site in Fairway, operated through a partnership, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Goodnow House State Historic Site in Manhattan, operated through a partnership, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.

Seven sites are open seasonally. First Territorial Capitol in Fort Riley opens as of April 22, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Grinter Place State Historic Site in Kansas City opens as of April 19, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site near Hanover opened April 19, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site near Pleasanton opened April 19, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; interpreted battlefield open year-round dawn to dusk. Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site near Republic opened April 19, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; interpreted trail is open year-round dawn to dusk. Red Rocks State Historic Site, Home of the William Allen White Family, in Emporia opened April 19, hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site in Studley, operated through a partnership, opened April 13 for guided tours inside 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, closed 12 to 1 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm; interpreted trail open year-round dawn to dusk.

Two sites are exterior interpreted experiences open year-round dawn to dusk, Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site near Trading Post, and Pawnee Rock State Historic Site in Pawnee Rock.

Kaw Mission State Historic Site and Last Chance Store State Historic Site in Council Grove are being reinterpreted and expected to open later this year. Find more information about each of these sites, their histories, and exhibits, online at kshs.org/18658.