Saturday is 2015 Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! Some of our Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area partners are participating. They are listed below, along with a few places that may not be partners, but are within the heritage area boundaries. In the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day , Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket…for free. To participate, visit: www.smithsonianmag.com/accounts/register/ to sign up for your FREE ticket. Each ticket provides free admission for two people. Unless otherwise indicated, the locations listed here will accept a Museum Day Live! ticket on the screen of your smartphone, but you do need to sign up for tickets in advance of your visit.
On the Kansas side of Freedom’s Frontier:
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum 320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS, 66048 (913) 682-1331 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Free everyday Web site: http://www.firstcitymuseums.org/
Our museum features memorabilia about C.W. Parker, the Carousel King, who lived in Leavenworth, KS and built his carousels here. We house 2 Parker carousels, a 1913 wooden one and a 1950 aluminum one, the oldest working carousel in the world circa 1850 and the Health Merry-Go-Round for children. Admission is free, tours $6 per adult, $3 children under 12, rides 3 tickets or less $1.50, 4 tickets or more $1.25 each. We will have a display of the history of building the museum and important moments of our 10 year history.
Gardner Historical Museum P.O. Box 442, 204 W. Main Street, Gardner, KS, 66030 (913) 856-4447 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 1-4 p.m.; Free everyday Web site: http://www.gardnerhistoricalmuseum.com/
The Gardner Historical Museum was established in 2002 by a group of Gardner citizens who wanted to preserve the history of Gardner and Southwest Johnson County, Kansas. Gardner Kansas is “Where the Three Trails Divide”- California, Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. The museum will host a military exhibit highlighting WWI. We will have gifts and local history books for sale. The tour also includes a 1940-1950 home.
Goodnow House State Historic Site 2301 Claflin, Manhattan, KS, 66502 (785) 565-6490 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; Free everyday Web site: http://www.kshs.org/goodnow_house
The Goodnow House State Historical Site is the 1861 stone home of Isaac and Ellen Goodnow. Isaac Goodnow was a founder of both the City of Manhattan and what became Kansas State University. Rarely exhibited objects associated with the Goodnow family and their friends will be on special exhibit September 26.
Grinter Place State Historic Site 1420 South 78th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66102 (913) 371-7665 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 9 :30 a.m.-5 p.m. Web site: http://www.kshs.org/grinter_place
Step back to the days of frontier life at this beautiful farmstead overlooking the historic Delaware Crossing on the Kansas River. Grinter Place was the home to Annie and Moses Grinter. Annie was a Lenape (Delaware), Moses operated a ferry and a trading post. Learn more about the life of the Grinters.
Johnson County Museum 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee, KS, 66217 (913) 715-2550 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Web site: http://www.jocogov.org/dept/museum/home
We’re offering free guided tour of the All- Electric House in honor of Museum Live Day! (You may need to have a printed ticket. No information on whether they will accept a smartphone ticket.)
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center 4400 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS, 66604 (785) 783-8300 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Web site: http://www.kansasdiscovery.org/
The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center is “Serious Fun” for the whole family! With interactive exhibits, hands-on discovery, and outdoor exploration, families will enjoy fun- filled hours exploring art, nature and science together.
Kansas Museum of History 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66615 (785) 272-8681 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; This location is closed on Saturday, September 26, but will extend the free ticket offer on Sunday, September 27. Web site: http://kshs.org/museum
The Kansas Museum of History is 20,000 plus square feet of the state’s inspiring history as told through exciting exhibits and interactive displays. Something for the whole family to enjoy. See the Santa Fe’s oldest surviving locomotive, No. 132, from 1880. A. K. Longren made the first successful flight of a Kansas-built plane in 1911. His 1914 version is featured in the gallery. The award-winning museum tells the story of the people of Kansas. Special exhibits updated every six months.
Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art 701 Beach Lane, Manhattan, KS, 66506 (785) 532-7718 Museum Day Live! hours of operation : 10 a.m.-5p.m.; Free everyday Web site: http://beach.k-state.edu/
The museum’s collection has grown from less than 1,500 pieces of art when it opened in 1996 to over 7,000 objects. The collection continues to focus on art of Kansas and the region. In addition to free gallery displays and special exhibitions, the museum presents public programs and educational programs for audiences of all ages. There are several exhibits to view this Saturday.
Old Depot Museum 135 West Tecumseh Street, Ottawa, KS, 66067 (785) 242-1250 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: www.olddepotmuseum.org/historical-sites/old-depot-museum/
Built in 1888, the Old Depot Museum originally served as a passenger depot for the Southern Kansas Railroad. It was donated to the Franklin County Historical Society by the AT&SF railroad in 1962. Today the museum celebrates local railroad history as well as the history of Franklin County, Kansas. A special exhibit featuring Fred Harvey, creator of the Harvey House restaurants, will be on display on September 26. Quayle Bible Collection 518 Eighth Street, Baldwin City, KS, 66006 (785) 594-8414 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 1-4 p.m.; Free everyday Web site: www.bakeru.edu/quayle
Every year the Quayle Bible Collection is visited by church study groups, confirmation classes, Maple Leaf Festival visitors and University classes in such diverse disciplines as Religion, Communication, History, Language and Literature, and Art History. The current exhibit is King David: Poet, Warrior, Seducer, and Murderer .
On the Missouri side of Freedom’s Frontier:
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art 2818 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO, 64506 (816) 233-7003 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Free everyday Web site: http://albrecht-kemper.org/
A work of art itself, the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art houses one of the finest collections of American Art in the Midwest. The former William Albrecht home provides the perfect backdrop for works by artists including Mary Cassatt, Robert Henri and Edward Hopper.
American Jazz Museum 1616 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108 (816) 474-8463 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Web site: http://americanjazzmuseum.org/
The American Jazz Museum’s department of collections and exhibitions specializes in several areas, including the history of the 18th & Vine area. The young can try their hand at making their own instruments in the Jazz Discovery area, while the aficionado can listen to selections from over one hundred jazz recordings in Jazz Central, the museum’s musical library.
Battle of Lexington State Historic Site 1101 Delaware Street, Lexington, MO, 64067 (660) 259-2378 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Grounds remain open until dusk. Web site: www.mostateparks.com/
Civil War battlefield and Anderson House which served as a field hospital. History of Lexington, border warfare and the Battle of Lexington 1861.
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum 500 West U.S. Highway 24, Independence, MO, 64050 (816) 268-8200 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Web site: www.trumanlibrary.org/
One of 13 U.S. Presidential Libraries, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum features interactive exhibits on the life and times of Harry S. Truman and his presidency. Visitors can see a replica of the Oval Office with a recorded message from Truman about the contents, view Truman’s working office, and pay their respects at his gravesite.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art 4420 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, 64111 (816) 753-5784 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Free everyday
Web site: http://www.kemperart.org/
Kansas City’s renowned FREE contemporary art museum, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art opened in October 1994 and draws more than 100,000 visitors each year. The Museum boasts a rapidly growing Permanent Collection that uniquely bridges modern and contemporary works of art featuring artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Helen Frankenthaler, Willem de Kooning, Georgia O’Keeffe, Keltie Ferris, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Richard Mosse, and Ursula von Rydingsvard. The Museum hosts special exhibitions, installations, and lectures, as well as children and families
programs and workshops. National Frontier Trails Museum 318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO, 64050 (816) 325-7575 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Web site: www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm
The National Frontier Trails Museum tells the epic story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things during America’s Westward Expansion. Discover the role Independence, MO played in the history of five of America's great western trails: the Oregon, California, Santa Fe Trails as well as the Lewis & Clark, and the Mormon Trail. Exhibits include: Authentic Covered Wagons, Relics and Artifacts, Hands on Activities, Pioneer Drawings and Art inside our museum and Wagon Train Swales near the building.
Pony Express National Museum 914 Penn Street, Saint Joseph , MO, 64503 (816) 279-5059 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Web site: http://ponyexpress.org/
Enjoy many exhibits including a full size oxen and wagon, blacksmith shop, harness and tack room. Meet with the re-in actors that share the stories and adventures of the Pony Express. Visit our newest exhibit "Buffalo Bill in St. Joseph" which exhibits original and authentic objects from Buffalo Bill's personal and professional life, his connections with the Pony Express and St. Joseph. Step back in time and visit the Pony School which is an 1860's one room school house, complete with schoolmarm.
Ray County Museum 901 W. Royle St., Richmond, MO, 64085 (816) 776-2305 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: http://raycountyhistory.webs.com/
The Ray County Museum is a 50 room museum that covers a wide variety of different topics. The Museum was built in 1910 and was placed on the national registry of Historic Places in 1979.
Remington Nature Center 1502 MacArthur Drive, St. Joseph , MO, 64505 (816) 271-5499 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Web site: www.stjoemo.info/index.aspx?nid=250
The Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph provides an opportunity for education and interpretation of nature and conservation, relative to the significance of the Missouri River and Northwest Missouri. The Remington Nature Center will unveil a brand-new logo’d temporary tattoo. All guests are welcome to this complimentary item on Smithsonian Day. Be sure to visit other participating museums in and around St. Joseph, Missouri, who will also be offering free admission for Smithsonian Museum Day.
Robidoux Row Museum 3rd and Poulin St., St. Joseph, MO, 64506 (816) 232-5861 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: www.robidouxrowmuseum.org/
A series of connected houses was built in the late 1840’s by city founder, Joseph Robidoux. This museum includes the restoration of Robidoux’s personal quarters, furnishings and some of his belongings.
The Vaile Mansion 1500 N Liberty St, Independence, MO, 64050 (816) 325-7430 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: www.vailemansion.org/Welcome.html
This ornate 31-room mansion is considered one of the best examples of Victorian Architecture in the United States. It was designed for Harvey Merrick Vaile by Kansas City architect Asa Cross and finished in 1881 in what is referred to as Second Empire Style. The Vaile Mansion is beautifully restored and decorated in vintage furnishings of the period. Vaile Mansion Guided Tours are free on Saturday.
Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio State Historic Site 3616 Belleview, Kansas City, MO, 64111 (816) 931-5722 Museum Day Live! hours of operation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: https://mostateparks.com/park/thomas-hart-benton-home-and-studio-state-historic-site
Completely furnished home and studio of Missouri’s most famous artist. Several of his paintings are on exhibit. Thomas Hart Benton’s book illustrations are on exhibit.
Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.
For more information about museums and other places to visit, and things to do in Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, visit our Web site: www.freedomsfrontier.org . There is a calendar of events that showcases our partners’ events.