Historical Visits

Life in the Trenches – National World War 1 Museum

The National World War 1 Museum and Memorial is not a memorial to the war. This national treasure is a reminder of the human spirit and the never-ending fight for peace. Life in the trenches was filled with short periods of sheer terror followed by long spans of boredom. Stretching across the horizon, these muddy, rat-infested trenches …

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The Kansas City Museum offers a chance to see one of the city's most impressive estates.

Kansas City Museum – A Renewed Purpose

For decades, schoolchildren from around the metropolitan region made the annual field trip to the Kansas City Museum. I remember visiting during the time that it focused primarily on our hometown’s history. It also featured hundreds of taxidermized animals in lifelike settings. In 2008, the museum was closed for a complete renovation and repurposing. When …

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The attention to detail is incredible in the pieces displayed at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

National Museum of Toys And Miniatures – Releasing My Inner Child

I have to admit that there’s a little kid in me that can come out at the most inopportune moments. To limit the silliness from becoming too rampant, I find it best to shower my inner child with periodic visits to kid-friendly attractions. Kansas City just happens to be home to quite a few of …

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We spent a Saturday exploring the exhibits at the Shawnee Indian Mission.

Shawnee Indian Mission – Hidden Kansas History

Are there places that you’ve been meaning to visit for years? We faced that same situation right in our backyard. The Shawnee Indian Mission has been a destination we have discussed visiting for quite some time. It seems like some other stop would always push this place to the back burner. We finally said “enough …

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A Fall display welcomes guests to Missouri Town 1855.

Missouri Town 1855 – Welcoming Fall

As Autumn descends on the Midwest, people will find an abundance of harvest-themed festivals. Welcoming Fall brings a change in the air, that signals the shortening of daylight hours. We find ourselves trying to savor every moment. Scanning the Kansas City calendar of events, we noticed the annual Fall Festival at Missouri Town 1855. Since …

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A war horse and soldiers armor make for an imposing display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

Seeing The Details – Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Variety keeps life from becoming boring. You can imagine what it would be like if every museum was exactly the same. Each would hold the same static displays and spout the same factoids. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Each history museum has its own approach to telling stories from the past. We also have a …

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A Story Of Passion Extinguished – Vaile Mansion

Kansas City is a metropolis filled with countless tales. Every corner of the city has its urban legends, myths, and tall tales. Somewhere along the way, many of these began with an inkling of truth and were merely stretched with passing time. Not long after the Civil War ended, many pioneers would pass through Independence …

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Why We Enjoy Places Like Miami County Historical Museum

There are varying opinions on the amount of enjoyment one can get from visiting a localized history museum. Some shy away from them, believing that they are dull and boring. Others, like ourselves, find that there are a multitude of personal stories just waiting to be uncovered. In Paola, Kansas we visited the Miami County …

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What We Learned At The Osawatomie Museum Complex

A day trip to Osawatomie, Kansas was less than an hour drive from Kansas City, but landed us in a different era. This itinerary was designed to showcase a variety of historic sites in Miami County. The Osawatomie Museum Complex, located in the downtown, was one of our stops. This locally oriented twin museum tells …

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jazz central

Kansas City Jazz Museum Keeps The Music Alive

Many trails west originated from the Kansas City area, and the rivers that flow through it were the highways for explorers and traders alike. Through the years, Kansas City became home to a variety of unique sights, sounds, and flavors. Jazz music became the heartbeat of the city, and nowhere did it beat louder than …

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Wyandotte County Museum - Hopewell Indians - Quindaro - Kansas City Kansas - B 25 Bombers

We Found Wyandotte County’s Hidden Museum

It’s a shame that so few people visit their local historical museums. The Wyandotte County Museum located in Wyandotte County Park is a prime example. How many of the county’s residents can say they have visited this historical site? Wyandotte County Museum Needs Your Love We dropped in on a Saturday morning to check out …

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trail ride - Missouri mules - wagon ride - Independence Missouri - Harry Truman

Tales From The Trails With Wagonmaster Ralph

Downtown Independence Square is easily walk-able, but a ride with Pioneer Trails Adventures is a great way to get a new perspective. We have visited this historic locale on many occasions, but never like this time. We had just completed a tour of the old jail, and now we were ready to experience a trail ride. A …

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Frontier - trails museum - Independence Missouri

Which Route Would You Take At The National Frontier Trails Museum

The National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri is dedicated to teaching the history of the three main trails heading West. On a damp Saturday morning, we headed to 318 West Pacific, in historic Independence, to see what this trails museum has to offer. We want to thank the National Frontier Trails Museum for their hospitality. Rest …

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Sports memorabilia

10,000 Reasons To Visit Chappell’s Sports Museum

Exploring North Kansas City, Missouri would not be complete without a visit to Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum. Located at 323 Armour Road, this place has become a sports Mecca, since its opening in 1986. Notoriety has come from many directions, including lots of the top sports news channels. We decided we needed to see …

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130 Years on Strawberry Hill

Kansas City, Kansas has the distinction of being known as “The Melting Pot of the Midwest”. A visit to the Strawberry Hill Museum, at 720 North 4th Street, showcases the contribution that Slavic nations have had on our growing city. The area was originally named Splitlog Hill after the wealthy mill owner, Mathias Splitlog. He parceled out the land …

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The Historic Garment District Museum in KCMO.

A Stitch in Time at Garment District Museum

Downtown Kansas City has gone through many phases over the past 150 years. The Historic Garment District Museum focuses on the period when Kansas City played host to numerous garment manufacturers. The museum is located at 800 Broadway, in the area that once held a thriving garment industry. This FREE museum is open on Wednesday through …

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An old wooden bar is part of the scenery at The Majestic Restaurant.

Shady History at Majestic Restaurant

Just about everyone who has driven by 931 Broadway, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, has seen the bright red awning over the entrance of The Majestic Restaurant. The building started life over 100 years ago as the Fitzpatrick Saloon. Built in 1911, the same year Jim Pendergast (Boss Tom’s older brother) passed away, it housed the saloon and a …

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Wooden barrels of bourbon are secured to an old wagon in a display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum.

Dredging Up the Past at the Arabia Steamboat Museum

Our visit to the Arabia Steamboat Museum reminded us why we like the City Market, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. This place bustles with vendors, hawkers, musicians, shoppers, and history seekers. The last category is often on their way to the museum, which is located in one of the permanent buildings that surround the market. The Arabia was a side wheeled steamer …

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