Explorers
close
close
JOIN NOW

Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site

Get curious about Kansas, one adventure at a time.
HISTORY

Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site

Topeka, KS | Shawnee County

Anthony Ward's family established a homestead and an Oregon Trail stop here in 1854. The Ward-Meade house (NRHP), built in 1870, was the first Victorian mansion in Topeka. The beautiful home is now a backdrop for lovely botanical gardens and a turn-of-the-century prairie town complete with church, depot, schoolhouse, and a working soda fountain in Potwin Drug. The Mulvane General Store operates as the park's gift shop and visitor center.

Hours of Operation

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM 		8:00 AM
to
8:00 PM
Architecture    Attractions    Customs    Garden    Historic Church    Historic Depot    Historic School    History    Museum    NRHP    Oregon Trail    Shop Stops    Soda Fountain    Visitor Center

Other Destinations You Might Like

Search for your next adventure.

JOIN THE KANSAS EXPLORERS CLUB

Go deeper with every Kansas mile.

Your membership includes:

  • Access to the Trip Planner tool
  • Monthly e-news with tips, events, and offers
  • Invitations to pop-up road trips and member-only experiences
  • A community of people who love Kansas as much as you do
LEARN MORE

EXPLORE MORE IN KANSAS

THANK YOU TO OUR LEAD SPONSORS

The Kansas Sampler Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture by educating Kansans about Kansas and networking and supporting rural communities. 
The goal is to keep every town viable that shows the will and spirit to help itself.
LEARN MORE
Copyright © 2025 Kansas Sampler Foundation.
All rights reserved