About the Oswego Historical Society
Visit our new remodeled location at 805 Barker Drive, Oswego, Kansas.
Be sure to stop by and visit all the great Oswego Kansas history, along with the remarkable museum artifacts that showcase our rich heritage and legacy at the historical society.
Oswego, Kansas Heritage
John A. Matthews, founder of what is now Oswego, Kansas, was falsely accused of instigating a pro-slavery raid on Humboldt on September 8, 1861. The sixth Kansas Cavalry, under Colonel J. G. Blunt, organized an expedition to the Little Town Trading Post, where they located Matthews in Chetopa and killed him. Subsequently, they surrounded the Chetopa settlement and arrested notable figures including Dr. George Lisle, the founder, Larkin McGee, Gen. Ewers, John McMurtry, James Boles, Sam Steele, and Tom White. These men were herded to Little Town, where they faced a court-martial trial. Ultimately, they were all acquitted and returned to Chetopa the following day, after the soldiers plundered and burned the Little Town settlement. This significant event is a crucial part of Oswego Kansas history and is often discussed among local historical society members. Pictured here, left to right, are W. A. Johnson (Garnett), Defense Counsel; Colonel J.G. Blunt, Judge; Dr. George Lisle, prisoner; Preston B. Plumb (Emporia), Prosecutor; Lieutenant Chas Brook, clerk, and two unknown soldiers. This was the first session of court ever held by white men south of Fort Scott, and its precedent led Governor Crawford to designate Little Town (Oswego) as the county seat in 1867. The artifacts related to this event are preserved in local museum collections for future generations to learn about this pivotal moment in history.
The Village of Little White Hair
The painting, depicting the time of circa 1841, serves as a study of Oswego Kansas history and highlights the area's multi-cultural roots, particularly the Osage Indian Culture. This bond of cooperation and interdependence with white society is represented by the trader, John Mathews, who is positioned in the left foreground.
The treaty signed in 1825 brought Chief White Hair and a band of Osage Indians from Missouri, leading them to settle just east of the bluff near Horseshoe Lake. The reservation covered an area fifty miles wide, extending west across two-thirds of the present state of Kansas.
The Osage constructed their homes using rows of saplings set in the ground, bent towards the center and laced together at the top, covered with woven mats made of coarse grass and cattails similar to those that still grow on the banks of Horseshoe Lake today.
Traditionally, their single door opened to the east, and upon rising, it was a ritual to stand beside it and chant to grandfather, the Sun. However, the Chief's dwelling featured two doors, one facing east and the other west; he would stand outside the east door if peace prevailed, but should war arise, he would chant from the west door.
The painting also incorporates other aspects of everyday life of the Osage, such as drying meats, tanning skins, and the small patches of corn and squash that grew around their homes. As part of the treaty, the government provided a blacksmith to serve the Osage, and John Mathews filled that role around 1841, receiving a license as a fur trader in 1847.
Mathews had a significant advantage in his relationship with the Osage due to his wife, Mary Williams, being half Welsh and half Osage. After her death, he married her sister, Sarah, and each wife bore children.
His two-story log house was situated high upon the bluff, where he constructed a race track and stables. This home is depicted in the upper left-hand corner of the painting, which represents a vital piece of museum artifacts reflecting Oswego's rich history.
Artist Marie Horner
Proud members
Labette County Historical Society
Labette County Historical Society
Labette County Historical Society
The Labette County Historical Society, based in Chetopa, Kansas, is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on preserving and promoting the rich history of Labette County and its surrounding areas. This historical society operates a museum that features a variety of museum artifacts showcasing the county’s heritage, including items an
The Labette County Historical Society, based in Chetopa, Kansas, is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on preserving and promoting the rich history of Labette County and its surrounding areas. This historical society operates a museum that features a variety of museum artifacts showcasing the county’s heritage, including items and photographs from early settlers and Native American tribes. In addition to the exhibits, the museum houses a research library filled with books, newspapers, and other documents that are vital to understanding Oswego Kansas history. The society also takes care of several historic buildings, such as the Chetopa Depot and the Oswego Jail, and hosts a range of events and educational programs throughout the year to engage the community and teach the public about Labette County’s heritage.
SEK Museum Alliance
Labette County Historical Society
Labette County Historical Society
The Southeast Kansas Museum Alliance (SEKMA), established in March 2019, is an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting museums and historical societies across Southeast Kansas. Through collaboration, education, and mutual support, SEKMA works to enhance the visibility and operations of member museums, which include those that s
The Southeast Kansas Museum Alliance (SEKMA), established in March 2019, is an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting museums and historical societies across Southeast Kansas. Through collaboration, education, and mutual support, SEKMA works to enhance the visibility and operations of member museums, which include those that showcase significant museum artifacts and preserve Oswego Kansas history. The alliance offers resources, information, and educational programs to its members, aiming to boost tourism and protect the unique histories of the region. SEKMA also organizes events and projects, such as the Southeast Kansas Museum Alliance Passport, which encourages visitors to explore participating museums.
📣 Support Local History – Become a Member Today! 📣
Join the Oswego Historical Society Museum for just $10/year and help preserve the stories that shaped our community.
✨ Free admission, exclusive updates, event invites & more!