Historical Visits

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 we heard it had reopened, we were eager to see the renewed purpose of this Kansas City landmark. Located at 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, this FREE attraction is a good choice for a day of exploring. Failure Turned Into Success I have to wonder how many fortunes were started [...]

Kansas burst into the Union in an unusually bloody fashion. Human presence can be traced back to at least the 1400s. It would be the mid-1800s that saw the quick escalation of violence. The story of Bloody Kansas has been told many times, but we find each site sheds a little more perspective. The Johnson County Museum, at 8788 Metcalf Avenue, is a good resource for learning about the changing times that make up our state's history. We dropped by for a refresher course on how Kansas transitioned to its current state. Going Way Back Johnson County was one of the first areas [...]

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 is enough" and planned a stopover at this local historical attraction. Without much research, we arrived with open minds and eager to learn about these indigenous people. The Shawnee Tribe We discovered that the first floor of the museum focuses on the Shawnee people. By the 1600s, the [...]

Our visit to Fort Osage whisked us back over 200 years to a time when America was much smaller than it is today. Our nation's freedom had been won in the American Revolution, and we were in the midst of a great expansion. The Louisiana Purchase had allowed the fledgling nation to increase its land holdings by over 800,000 square miles. The reality is that what France had sold them was the right to obtain Native Indian lands by treaty or conquest. By nearly doubling its size, this new country was set on a path of growth.   We want to thank Fort Osage [...]

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 on their way out west. A steady stream of travelers would have traveled along a path that would have led them past the Vaile Mansion at 1500 North Liberty Street. Many sories were spun regarding this massive home that rose high above the rolling hills. A Love Story [...]

The promise of a warm Spring day in Kansas City can often change quickly. Such was the case when we visited the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas. We were meeting up with a group of social influencers who had been invited to an Instameet being hosted by Visit Kansas City, Kansas. By the time we arrived, a blustery wind had brought in clouds, cooler temperatures, and the threat of rain. At least the first portion would be indoors. We want to thank the Ag Hall of Fame and Visit KCK for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are [...]