Galena Mining & Historical Museum

The Galena Mining & Historical Museum is an interesting stop along Historic Route 66. Basically staffed by 3 volunteers, the off season hours are irregular, but they will make every effort to accommodate folks interested in the history of the community of Galena, Kansas. At first glance, the Galena Mining & Historical Museum is tiny, occupying an old Missouri-Texas-Kansas railroad depot that was moved from another location on Route 66 in Galena. But there is a much larger building tucked away behind the depot. Features unique to the Galena Museum are a large display of mineral specimens, mining equipment and a model of the Grand Central Mine which was located just east of Galena in Central City, Missouri. Also featured at the Galena Mining & Historical Museum is a collection of oil paintings titled "Abandoned Mine Scenes" by local artist Carol Bliss-Riley. Originally displayed in the Smithsonian Institution from 1969 and 1974 the painting depict old mine scenes from the Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma area. Her husband, DeVaughn, made most of the frames from wood from the buildings being depicted in each picture.