Osawatomie’s John Brown Museum was recently ranked fifth, on a list of the top ten western themed museums in the country. The museum was built around the cabin where John Brown himself lived, with five of his sons, and his half-sisters family. The cabin was a stop on the underground railroad. The park in which the museum is located was also the site of the Battle of Osawatomie where free-state and pro-slavery men fought on August 30, 1856.
Osawatomie’s John Brown Museum can now proudly say it can stand toe-to-toe with some of the best and brightest around after being ranked fifth in a top 10 list of the best western museums as compiled by True West magazine. Museum curator Grady Atwater said the news of the museum simply making the final cut was outstanding, but to hear it was placed fifth on the list was nothing short of jaw dropping. Atwater was quick to dole out congratulations, noting it is because of the help of countless community volunteers the museum is able to offer its impressive array of historically-themed events. He also noted the honor as a validation of Osawatomie’s cultural heritage.
“I think it points out the reality that our history is of national and international importance in Osawatomie,” Atwater said.
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