Preserving Coffeyville's Treasures

Coffeyville Historical Society

Dalton Defenders Museum
Brown Mansion
Historical Society Board of Directors

Upcoming Events
 to be announced
The Coffeyville Historical Society, a non-profit organization, operates the  Dalton Defenders Museum and the Brown Mansion the  in Coffeyville, Kansas.  Reservations for group tours or for other special events may be scheduled through the Chamber of Commerce.

The Coffeyville Historical Society is governed by a 14-member Board made up of local volunteers who believe that preserving area history is important. On October 5, 1963, the Historical Society dedicated the Dalton Defenders Museum to the memory of the Coffeyville citizens who gave their lives protecting their town.

In 1972 the Historical Society purchased the Brown Mansion, a three-story, 16-room home erected around the turn of the century by W.P. Brown. Violet Brown Kohler, his daughter, stipulated that the Mansion be opened to the public. The furnishings in the home are not reproductions but are the furnishings belonging to the family. The mansion was opened for guided tours in 1973. 

What Really Happened on October 5, 1892
Comprehensive story of the Dalton Raid
written by Lue Barndollar
Paperback - $24.95 including shipping and handling
Send payment to Coffeyville Historical Society
P. O. Box 843, Coffeyville, KS  67337

This book was published in 1992, the centennial year of the Dalton Raid and compiles
information from over 60 sources.  It contains reprints of 1892 black and white
photos taken immediately after the raid and color photos of some of the guns
and other memorabilia on display in the Dalton Defenders Museum. 

Dalton Defenders Museum

On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang tried to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas, simultaneously. The gang was made up of Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton; Bill Power; and Dick Broadwell. As the gang crossed the Plaza to enter the two banks, the Daltons were recognized by townspeople, who raised the alarm. Citizens armed themselves with weapons from nearby hardware stores and were ready for the gang when they tried to leave the banks.

In the ensuing gun battle, eight men died and four were wounded. Grat and Bob Dalton, Bill Power, and Dick Broadwell were killed; Emmett was severely wounded. Four of Coffeyville's defenders also were killed: Marshal C.T. Connelly, Lucius Baldwin, George Cubine, and Charles Brown. Three other citizens were wounded, one of them severely.

The Dalton Defenders Museum is the realization of a dream of many Coffeyville citizens who wished to honor the Defenders. Those who worked to establish the Historical Society understood the importance of collecting items relating not only to the Dalton Raid but also to early-day life in this area. In the Museum are the following collections.

  • Exhibits of early Coffeyville history
  • Mementos of Wendell Wilkie - who lived and taught school in Coffeyville
  • Mementos of baseball great Walter Johnson - who lived in Coffeyville (click picture below for larger view). Johnson pitched for the Washington Senators and was one of the first five inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Mementos of the Dalton Raid (including recently located court records of Emmett's trial)

On October 5, 1963, the Dalton Defenders Museum in Coffeyville was opened, dedicated to the memory of the Coffeyville citizens who gave their lives protecting their town.

The Museum, owned and operated by the non-profit Coffeyville Historical Society, is located at 113 East 8th Street in Coffeyville.
 

Hours
effective 09/01/07

  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Monday through Saturday
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Sunday
  • Closed Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas


Admission Fees - Dalton Museum

  • Adults $6.00
  • Youths 7 - 17: $3.00
  • Children 6 and under: Free with adult
  • Adult combination ticket (admission to both the Museum and the Brown Mansion): $10.00
  • Youth combination ticket: $5.00

Group Rates

  • Adult groups over 20 people:  $5 each

  • Youth groups (ages 7-17) over 20 people:  $2.50 each

To schedule tours, e-mail or call the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce at chamber@coffeyville.com,
(620) 251-2550 or 1-800-626-3357.

Dalton Museum

113 East Eighth Street

Coffeyville, KS  67337

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The Brown Mansion

For additional information go to:
www.brownmansion.com

Completed in 1904, the three-story 16-room Mansion was built at a wholesale cost of $125,000. The main floor includes a living room (called the "hall"), parlor, music room, library, conservatory, dining room, billiard room, entry, kitchen, and maid's quarters. Five bedrooms and three full baths are on the second floor.

The entire third floor is a ballroom which at times served as a schoolroom and gymnasium for Brown's son. A full basement houses the butler's quarters, the laundry, heating system, walk-in ice box, wine cellar, and other storage rooms.

W.P. Brown began plans for this lovely Coffeyville home around the turn of the century. Mr. Brown, who had lumber and natural gas interests, contracted with the architectural firm of Wilder & Wight of Kansas City, Mo. As both Edward Wilder and Thomas Wight had worked and studied with Stanford White, the Mansion has similarities to White's Patterson Mansion on DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C. and to the library he designed in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Inglenook in the Brown Mansion is similar to one White designed for his friend Louis Comfort Tiffany. Like many of White's designs, the Mansion has a number of fireplaces, all of different designs.

Located at the corner of Eldridge and Walnut on U.S. 166, the Brown Mansion is available for private parties throughout the year and is open for guided tours.

Hours

  • January & February - Closed
  • March 1 - April 30 - Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.
  • May  through October - Thursday through Monday, 11 to 4 p.m., except Sundays 1-4 p.m.
  • November & December - Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  • Tours every hour on the hour - last tour 3 p.m.

Admission Fees/Tour Prices - Brown Mansion

  • Adult: $6.00
  • Youth ages 7-17:  $3.00
  • Children 6 & under: Free with adult
  • Adult Combination ticket (admission both to Mansion and to Museum): $10.00
  • Youth Combo ticket:  $5

Group Rates

  • Adult groups over 20 people:  $5 each

  • Youth groups (ages 7-17) over 20 people:  $2.50 each

 

For information on booking special tours, events, or weddings, contact the Coffeyville Area Chamber at chamber@coffeyville.com  or phone 620-251-2550 or 1-800-626-3357.

Recent Improvements to Brown Mansion
Since Violet Brown Kohler sold the Mansion to the Coffeyville Historical Society in
1973, many needed repairs and improvements have been made.  In 1990,
central heat and air were installed.  In 1999, the parking lot and road
were paved and exterior lighting improved.  The column and veranda
restoration project was completed in 2000.  In 2002, the pond area was cleared, additional
water lines and hydrants were installed and the mansion and servants' quarters
roofs were completed.  In 2005, a long needed repair was made to one
of the Mansion's chimneys.  The chimney was sinking and a long
crack in the stucco was causing leaks in the interior areas below the crack. 

Upcoming Brown Mansion Events
to be announced

Brown Mansion
2019 South Walnut (South Highway 169)
Coffeyville, KS  67337

Coffeyville Historical Society Board of Directors

Lue Barndollar
Julie Blaich
Pug Clough
Nancy Garton
Dennis Jacobs - honorary
Pam Jones
Paul Kritz
Angie Naden
Barbara Neale
Stephanie Richardson
Jim Riley
John Rinkenbaugh
Emil Roesky
Doug Rutledge
Bob Shelton
Chuck Shively
Tom Swanson
Darla Thornburg
Max Williams
Woody DePontier, Facilities Manager

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  information@coffeyville.com