HERITAGE

Manhattan’s beginnings began on April 27, 1855 when the Cincinnati and Kansas Land Company departed Cincinnati, Ohio on the Steamboat Hartford. The plan was to found an abolitionist community. A new town of Boston was already established when the Steamboat ran aground. The Bostonians liked the new arrivals, convinced them to stay and Manhattan became the town’s name.

Begin your tour of historic Manhattan and Riley County here, where you’ll discover Manhattan’s past through changing exhibits and priceless artifacts on permanent display. Open daily.

In 1855, abolitionists Isaac and Ellen Goodnow founded Manhattan on the common principles of freedom and education. Their home located next to Riley County Historical Museum was built in 1861, contains Victorian-era furniture, and is open for tours.

Pre-fabricated homes were part of steamboats carrying passengers west. The Hartford House is located at 2301 Claflin Avenue and was originally assembled near 5th and Colorado Streets. About 50 years ago the home was to Riley County Historical Museum. Hours vary.

Fort Riley opened in 1853 as a frontier Army installation to protect pioneers traveling on wagon trails heading west. Today, Fort Riley’s workday population exceeds 20,000 military and on-post, private-contract employees. The post contributes $2 billion to Manhattan and Kansas economies.

The cornerstone for this pioneer cabin was laid in 1915 and incorporated stone from the first building constructed at what is now Kansas State University. Built using walnut logs, the cabin illustrates a typical Riley County pioneer period home. Located in City Park, open seasonally.

Built in 1868, this two-story, limestone home was originally used as a boarding house and then a private dwelling owned by the Wolf family before it became a museum in 1983.