Tours and

Outreach

The Kansas Oil Museum offers guided tours and educational outreach programs designed to bring the history of Butler County and the Kansas oil industry to life. Whether you are visiting with a school group, community organization, or homeschool class, our programs provide engaging learning experiences for visitors of all ages.

Our staff and volunteers are happy to work with teachers, group leaders, and organizations to create a program that fits your interests and schedule.

Guided Tours

The museum offers scheduled tours for both student and adult groups. Tours can be customized depending on the age of participants, time available, and topics of interest.

Tour experiences may include:

• Guided tour of the museum galleries
• Exploration of historic outdoor exhibits
• Demonstrations of oilfield equipment (when available)
• Hands-on educational activities
• Opportunities for questions and discussion

Tour Length Options

30 Minute Highlights Tour
A shorter overview of the museum galleries and key stories of Butler County history.

60–90 Minute Educational Tour
A more in-depth experience including exhibits, outdoor areas, and additional educational discussion.

Extended Experience

For school groups or special programs, tours may include demonstrations, interactive learning activities, or themed educational experiences.

School & Student Programs

The museum provides educational experiences that support learning in history, science, and regional culture.

Programs may focus on topics such as, but not limited to:

• Kansas history
• Early oil exploration and production
• Energy science and technology
• Pioneer and early Butler County life
• Regional geology and natural resources

Tours can be adapted for:

• Elementary students
• Middle school and high school groups
• College classes
• Homeschool groups

Outreach Programs

In addition to on-site tours, the museum can bring history directly to your classroom or organization.

Staff members are available to visit:

• Schools
• Homeschool groups
• Civic organizations
• Clubs and community groups
• Libraries and educational programs

Outreach presentations may include historical talks, artifact demonstrations, or hands-on activities tailored to your group’s interests.

Virtual & Remote Programs

For groups unable to travel to the museum, virtual presentations may be available.

These programs allow classrooms and organizations to connect with museum educators through live presentations or digital resources.

Planning Your Visit

To ensure we can provide the best experience for your group, we ask that tours be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.

When contacting us, please include:

• Group size
• Preferred date and time
• Age range of participants
• Topics of interest
• Special requests or accessibility needs

Tour Package Examples

Kansas Energy & Oil Exploration Tour

Best for: Upper Elementary – High School

Discover how the search for oil shaped Kansas and changed the region forever. This tour explores the science and technology behind oil exploration and production, along with the history of the famous El Dorado Oil Field.

Students will learn about:

• How oil forms underground
• Early drilling techniques
• Oilfield equipment and technology
• The impact of oil on Kansas communities

Tour Length: 60–90 minutes

Boomtown History Experience

Best for: Elementary – Middle School

Step back in time and experience life in an early 20th-century oil boomtown. Students will explore historic structures and learn how families lived, worked, and built communities during the height of Kansas oil development.

This tour may include:

• Visits to historic buildings in the Living History area
• Stories from the boomtown era
• Daily life in early Butler County
• How oil discoveries changed communities

Tour Length: 60 minutes

Kansas History Field Trip

Best for: Elementary – Middle School

This tour introduces students to the broader story of Kansas history, from early settlement to the growth of agriculture and the discovery of oil.

Students will explore:

• Early Kansas settlers and pioneers
• The role of farming and ranching in the region
• The development of Butler County communities
• How the oil industry helped shape Kansas history

Tour Length: 60–75 minutes

Energy Science & STEM Tour

Best for: Upper Elementary – High School

This tour focuses on the science behind energy and natural resources. Students will learn how geology, engineering, and technology work together to locate and produce oil.

Topics may include:

• Geology of oil formation
• Energy production and technology
• Engineering challenges in drilling
• The role of energy in modern society

This tour pairs well with science or STEM curriculum.

Tour Length: 60–90 minutes

Living History & Pioneer Life Tour

Best for: Elementary – Middle School

Explore what life was like for early settlers in Butler County. Students will visit historic structures and learn about daily life before modern technology transformed the region.

Students may experience:

• Historic homes and buildings
• Pioneer tools and technology
• Early education in rural Kansas
• Life before electricity and modern transportation

Tour Length: 60 minutes