benton county museum

The museum was a great way to kill a couple of hours in the heat. Did you know that there used to a train to Warsaw and they also had steamboat service too. If you are close to Warsaw the museum is worth the stop.

I didn't expect a lot from a small county museum but was pleasantly surprised. The featured exhibit changes each season. Last summer the focus was on Steamboats on the Osage River. This year it is all about the railroads. I didn't know that it took 1000 ties for a mile of track so the railroad provided many job opportunities. The railroads also ended the dominance of river boats. The museum has many artifacts and photos of life in Benton County from the mid 1800's to the present day. You can visit a parlor , kitchen, school and bedroom. There is a display of military uniforms and wedding dresses through the years. It was a very nice experience and the volunteers are extremely knowledgeable. We will return.