Southwest Kansans can view some rarely seen historical artifacts and try for up to 10 unique prizes at the 2026 Forgotten Times Exhibit and Prize Drawing, set for 1 to 4 p.m. March 14 in the Mary Regan Conference Room at the Finney County Historical Museum in Garden City
Admission is free. The afternoon will include a one-day display of museum artifacts not usually available for viewing.
The exhibit will be open simultaneously with regular museum displays, and the public may get in through the museum’s exhibit entrance, adjacent to the pedestrian arches at Lee Richardson Zoo, or the north entrance. Refreshments will be available.
Items brought out from storage for viewing will range from antique and vintage glassware, appliances, firearms, railroad hardware and tools to signage and household objects, as well as 19th and early 20th Century photographs. In addition, there will be a complete dinner table set with dishes and serving ware from the 1880s.
The prize drawing segment of the day will feature collectible, vintage and accurate facsimile objects donated by friends, members and supporters of the Finney County Historical Society.
None are from the museum’s collection, but they include a framed Marilyn Monroe portrait print and commemorative U.S. postage stamp issued over 30 years ago; a modern nine-inch Angoily glass bowl in vintage style; a six-signature framed and autographed 1964-66 cast photo from the “Gunsmoke” TV series, paired with something that might have been served at the Long Branch saloon; and an 18-inch Victorian style Tiffany lamp with LED technology and 12-inch stained glass shade.
Among additional prizes are a six-foot, handcrafted solid walnut china cabinet with display shelving, drawers and secretary-style front opening dating to about 1970; a four-foot Victorian scroll-back style metal garden bench; and a 100th anniversary collection of Route 66 items, including a hand-crafted pillow and lap blanket, coffee table Route 66 history book, book valet with mug, tea, tissue holder and related items.
Visitors will also find a rustic pair of 20-inch spoked metal wheels dating back more than 100 years; a 12-inch diameter reproduction Packard automobile service sign; and what organizers termed “$100 in old-fashioned cash.”
Drawing tickets are on sale at the museum now and during the event until about 3:30 p.m. the day of the gathering.
Cash or checks are accepted, and tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or 12 for $10.
Proceeds will support museum exhibits and FCHS programs and services for the community.
The event is sponsored by the Garden City Telegram, along with John and Angelica Chappel, Commerce Bank, Fry Eye Associates, Garnand Funeral Home, Golden Plains Credit Union, Oswalt Appraisals LLC, Rhonda Stone, Unger’s Heating and Air Conditioning and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Preston Johnson. Prizes have been donated by Frances O’Brate, Mark and Linda Hinde, Stone, Janet and Roger Reed, Tyler Thon, Johnson’s Edward Jones agency and anonymous supporters.
Anyone entering the drawing may designate his or her tickets toward any of the specific prizes or have their tickets distributed at random between all 10.
It’s not necessary to be present to win, but winners are responsible for picking up their prizes by March 31 or covering shipping costs.
Detailed prize lists with descriptions are available at the museum, where exhibit hours are 1-5 p.m. daily and offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
