Following my visit to the parade of hearts at the Wyandotte County Museum, I took the opportunity…read moreto explore the museum's new exhibits, which featured artifacts from Wyandotte County Kansas .The first exhibit showcased memorabilia from TWA, General Motors, Peters Menu, View, Master, and a nurse's uniform Bethany Hospital, brick from Bethany Hospital, Robert B Hansford photographer studio in Minnesota Avenue. There is a exhibit on Sumner Academy that is very interesting talks about Health. Their name got changed and their color of their uniforms and this talks about the students in the staff. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM the museum is free

During my staycation week, I've committed myself to visit a few local attractions that I have…read moreoverlooked during the past few decades. Today I ventured out to Bonner Springs to see the Wyandotte County Museum. I was very impressed with the collection and presentation. The west wing is entirely devoted to indigenous culture and artifacts from the region. This is probably the finest collection in the area; at least that I have seen, with Wyandotte, Shawnee and Delaware tribes being the most prominent. The east wing contains displays and relics from the more modern era of WyCo. Hispanic baseball and KCKFD were the two most prominent, but dozens more displays of neighborhoods, industry, schools, the wars, the floods.... Located next to "Sandstone" amphitheater in a beautiful park, it is well worth a visit for anyone with even a small interest in history; and it's free!

Greenlease Gallery is located on the campus of Rockhurst University and is named for the schools…read moreprominent benefactor - Virginia Greenlease and her family. The horrific kidnapping and murder of Bobby Greenlease in 1953 was a major story in Kansas City and the nation. Rockhurst's Jesuit Catholic priests comforted the family and in return the wealthy family donated money, land, and art to the university over many decades. With Rockhurst being a Catholic University it is natural that their permanent collection is a remarkable collection of religious paintings and artifacts dating back to 1400. An impressive small collection that also includes a few exhibits that teach and explain Catholic rituals and their plethora of saints. There is also a few relics from Judaism in the collection. Not being a fan of religion or his type of art, I was more intrigued in the other half of the gallery with it's current rotating exhibit - This Land is My Land / Your Land; an installation by Cynthia Daignault. A collection of 100's of small oil paintings that she reproduced from photos taken at 27 mile increments in a journey around the periphery of the nation. A heady undertaking of travel and artistic productivity. A great artistic travelogue of the nation. The exhibit ends 12/02/22. A relatively small gallery but housing a great contrast of antiquities to rotating experimental. Any fan of art or those devoted to the Catholic faith should pay Greenlease a visit.

Bring your air buds to listen (respectfully) to the narrative on the QR codes throughout the place…read more Nice little museum

Visiting KC from NY primarily to go to National WW I museum. Stumbled upon this museum. Excellent!…read moreHad to go through background check to enter fort property, but worth it. Totally recommend.

I had no idea this museum existed until recently. This small complex contains the jail, marshall's…read morehome, an old one room schoolhouse and a modern building containing historical artifacts related to the jail and the Independence area in general. Priced at $6 for admission, it is well worth a visit. The 2 story stone jail presents a bare-bones authenticity of what crime and punishment meant during the civil war era and late 19th century. Placards featuring a variety of prisoners tell their stories as you wander through the thick walled cells. The focal point of the museum is Frank James cell that he spent several months "locked up" in. Quite an elaborate set-up compared to the others. Any history lover will find this place a great way to spend an hour. I'd love to see this place promoted more in Kansas City tourism information.

Lovely rock barn smack dab in the middle of Lenexa. I'm always happy when history is preserved for…read moreus to see and enjoy, because it helps us appreciate how far we've come and celebrate the endurance of those who made a home in the wilderness.

The Legler Barn Museum complex in the northwest corner of Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is a wonderful…read morepiece of preserved history. A Civil War era large rock barn that once sat near 95th and Quivira was de-constructed and rebuilt in Lenexa stone by stone in the 1980's. Inside is an odd collection of anything that is a relic of a bygone era from Johnson County. Furniture, toys, quilts, a telephone switchboard...there is also a very large collection of sunflower related objects that a local gentleman started. Being a collector of political paraphernalia, I loved seeing all of the political buttons! It's a bit of an odd and definitely eclectic hodge-podge of stuff, but it works and the price is free to enter, although donations are welcomed. Next to the barn is an old depot that was relocated there and contains a large horse buggy and lots of railroad memorabilia. There is also a caboose and an old interurban passenger shelter that is there. A great architectural salvage project keeping local history alive for future generations!

This museum has relocated to inside of the Truman Memorial building a few blocks west of the…read moreIndependence square - it was originally a few blocks south of the square. Admission is free with donations accepted. It starts with a 20 minute video that i recommend to get you acclimated to the importance that the frontier trails played in shaping this nation's history and growth. The museum is broken into sections on the California, Sante Fe, Oregon, and Mormon Trails and also showcases the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the fur trade. There's lots to read and lots of artifacts. It was personally intriguing since I have recently discovered that ancestors of mine trekked both the California and Mormon trails. There are certainly more interesting and larger museums in the region but i would recommend this one highly to show why our metropolitan area was critical to westward expansion.

My interest in the Oregon trail starts here in Independence, Missouri, since I know that the…read moremajority of the westward expansion movement in America started here in Independence in the mid 1800's. I know on the Oregon Trail since my youth playing the video games and that sparked my interest in seeing the real stuff in person. So once the opportunity came to see artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the Oregon Trail was made available, I jumped at the chance to see it before leaving the area. It was nice to come to this museum after searching on TripAdvisor and Yelp to find a good museum that caters to the Oregon Trail. I arrived here around 3:30pm on a brisk and casual Monday in October 2017 after picking up my rental car in Overland Park, KS. I had about an hour to browse through everything before leaving the museum at 4:30pm. The museum itself isn't large but had quite a bit of exhibits and information about the Oregon trail and its associated historic significance in the independence Missouri area. For the most part though, it was nice to see more of the artifacts and historical stories that made the travel from Independence mo to Oregon, California, and even Utah way back before the invention of the car. Those were rough times on the frontier and these brace souls risk their lives for the betterment of themselves and the growing country. The overall experience here at the National Frontier Trail museum was very fascinating, good, positive, and educational. I learned more about some of the pioneers' stories and the incredible hardships they had to endure throughout their journey: diseases, dehydration, starvation, weather, and the hostile Native American people were basically the main contributors to what they had to put up with on their long haul to the Pacific Ocean. This place does charge admission fee, but I lucked out, since I came in late, I got charged the senior rate, so I saved a couple of $$. Admission fee is get nominal though, so it is always good to support museums that support your need for knowledge and curiosity. They accept major credit cards, as well as cash. I was here when they had construction equipment here nearby, but I chose to park around the corner. They have parking spaces here for people visiting. Just didn't know how that would work, but I had a nice walk to and from the car regardless. For the most part though, my experience really wanted me to solidify my knowledge base of the Oregon trail and how the American pioneers risked death to achieve their dreams of living on the edge of the western fringes of America. The museum building itself was one story, but large enough to accommodate the exhibits, its artifacts, and collections of items that relates to the Oregon trail and its associated westward expansion of American civilization past the Mississippi River. The place was very much kid friendly and clean. It's quiet and casual like a library, so do yourselves favor by keeping your concerns and conversations to a dull roar. Be respectful that they kind of frown upon loud people and obnoxious individuals. If you are interested in this part of American history and near Independence, Missouri, consider coming and spending some time here. You will be enlightened by the hardship and sacrifices needed to undertake and understand what they did to survive and to build a nation. Hard work and dedication to what you do makes waves. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. You might want to have lunch first before coming here. It can be worth it if you stay long and soak up the knowledge and be amazed. I wish I could have been there earlier but had a time crunch. Support local! A+

Fun and informative! Highly recommend. Cute gift shop and easy parking. Historic interpretations…read morewere awesome!

If you're in to history, as in hands in the cookie dough, into history, then Missouri Town is for…read moreyou. If you're looking for a place to let your kids explore and touch history, it's great. No dogs--their livestock won't appreciate your dog. Bring your camera to photograph the bison, elk, livestock, the buildings and your loved ones. Also a great place to capture pictures of your children in the schoolhouse, senior pics, engagement photos and so forth. Lovely in autumn. Gorgeous with a new fallen snow. On my last visit I saw wild turkeys and deer in the village. One of the best things about Missouri Town is the ability to take classes from docents who care about their crafts and your understanding. Blacksmithing, hearth cooking, weaving, children's craft projects... It's a haven for kinesthetic learners. If Don's working the forge, ask him for a song or a tall tale. Ask Linda about the oxen, sheep, horses, or fowl. Judy will gladly explain the usage of the herbs in the garden. No one is too busy to stop and share and make your trip a memory. I'm a regular in all seasons except summer. I found it funny that other reviewers commented on how hot it is; it would've been hot wherever they went in Kansas City in the summer. Summer is quirky like that. If you're interested, ask about having your wedding in the chapel in the spring or fall. (In summer, nothing's air conditioned. You're not likely to get lots of air circulating in the chapel.) As one reviewer noted, they are kind. Kind in an age where you don't find true kindness. Maybe that's why I like going back in history here. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a camp stool. There are few places to sit and rest. They do have restroom facilities and a water fountain in the middle of the town. Picnicing is only encouraged near the main entrance.

2010 Gallery is a beautiful, upscale space on the east side of the popular Crossroads Art District…read more Offerings lean towards the traditional with a number of nationally and internationally significant artists represented; fans of contemporary and abstract art will find plenty of interesting works as well. High-end pieces mix with genuinely affordable examples of decorative art making the gallery an enjoyable experience for all. 2010 is open on First Fridays March through December and by appointment. On First Fridays they offer wine and hors d'oeuvres from 6-10pm, with live music in the back room or outdoors on the deck if weather permits. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable--not at all snobby--even though they could be given the level of art they present. All in all a great little gem of a gallery.