Constructed in 1855 of native limestone, the Custer House is a historic house museum located on
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in North Central Kansas, on the Kansas River, also known as the Kaw, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 101,733 acres (41,170 ha) in Gear ...
in
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
, United States. It reflects Fort Riley's earliest history and authentically depicts military home life on the western frontier during the Indian Wars Period.
It is largely unchanged from its original design and furnished with period furniture from the 1880 through the 1890s.
Originally thought to have been the home of
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars.
Custer graduated from West Point in 1861 at the bottom of his class, b ...
, later research showed that General and Mrs. Custer occupied the sister-set of quarters (#21) while stationed here in 1866.
Visitor access
Custer House, located at #24, Sheridan Ave., is open during the summer season for visitors (from Memorial Day to Labor Day). Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Saturday and 1-4 p.m., Sundays. Visitor access is free; donations are suggested.
Custer House is also available, upon request, by coordinating with the nearby Fort Riley Cavalry Museum.
Since the museum is on an active U.S. Army post, there are minor restrictions on visitors, namely a requirement for state or federally issued photo identification (i.e. a driver's license).
References
External links
Fort Riley Museums
{{coord, 39.062691, -96.781955, type:landmark, name=1st Infantry Division Museum, display=title
Military and war museums in Kansas
Historic house museums in Kansas
Museums in Geary County, Kansas
Houses in Geary County, Kansas