Oakley's Fick Fossil and Historical Museum is listed among the 25 Great Museums in the U.S.
Local fossils, a general store, fine antiques, a sod house, artifacts from Fort Monument, and over 1,500 photographs makes this museum both entertaining and educational.
The Museum features Cretaceous Period fossils from the personal collection of Earnest and Vi Fick. The museum also has many fossils found by the Sternbergs, who did extensive digs in the area. The majority of our pieces were collected within a fifty mile radius of Oakley. As part of our permanent collection, we have over 11,000 shark teeth, a complete Xiphactinus audux, specimens of Pteranodon, Plesiosaurus, Mosasaurs, and many others representative of the Cretaceous Period. We have several specimens of Crinoid and Horn Corral available.
Mammalian history is equally represented with specimens of hoofed mammals and the Oligocene Rhinoceros. Fossils of plant life are on permanent display. The mineral and rock collection is quite extensive. Archeological pieces are also on display.
Most recent to our collection is a skull of a Mosasaur, Tylosaurus proriger, an ancient marine reptile about 30 feet in length. Discovered in the Smoky Hill Chalk Beds of Gove County, this relic is the oldest ever documented. (Donated by the Bird family and prepared by Mike Everhart in 1997.)
The Folk Art Collection includes pieces created with fossils, rocks, and paper mache by Vi Fick. This collection is unique to the Fick Fossil and History Museum. Wood carvings made by Vi Fick are also part of the permanent collection.
Other items of interest are our Kansas Wildflower Collection, replica depot, and a early 1900's General Store with many fascinating items on display. We also have a Sod House within the museum for your viewing. Other items relating to the historical significance of the area are on display.