TOPEKA — The Kansas Historical Society announced Monday that 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.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 

• Fort Hays State Historic Site in Hays is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 

• John Brown Museum State Historic Site in Osawatomie, operated through a partnership, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, call ahead to confirm.

•  Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site in Fairway, operated through a partnership, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 

• Goodnow House State Historic Site in Manhattan, operated through a partnership, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Seven sites are open seasonally:

•  First Territorial Capitol in Fort Riley opens April 22; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

•  Grinter Place State Historic Site in Kansas City opens April 19; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

•  Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site near Hanover opens April 19; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

•  Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site near Pleasanton opens April 19; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; interpreted battlefield open year-round dawn to dusk.

•  Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site near Republic opens April 19; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; interpreted trail open year-round dawn to dusk.

•  Red Rocks State Historic Site, Home of the William Allen White Family, in Emporia opens April 19; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

•  Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site in Studley, operated through a partnership, opened April 13 for guided tours inside 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, closed noon-1 p.m., 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 the town of Trading Post.

• 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.