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Experiences|Museums

Kansas Has An Entire Museum Dedicated To Carousels And It’s As Awesome As You’d Think

Plan a visit to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas, for a unique and interactive family outing.

Published Jan 5, 2022

Written by 

Marla S.

If you're looking for a unique outing that your entire family will enjoy, plan to visit the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas. Founded in 2005, the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is a labor of love that's supported by the Leavenworth Historical Museum Association, donations, and dedicated volunteers.

Aside from interacting with the exhibits, visitors will learn all about C.W. Parker, his love of carousels, and events that took place in this part of Kansas. Guests will also enjoy taking a ride (or two) on a carousel that's more than 100 years old!

To get started on planning your day of play, read on to learn more about the fun you'll have during your visit.

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is also known as the Leavenworth Carousel Museum.

Sign for the C.W. Parker Museum featuring a carousel horse, with a brick building in the background.
Google/Darin Sandidge

This carousel is called the 1950 and is geared specifically towards children.

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A vintage carousel with colorful horses, decorated with red, white, and blue stars, inside a museum.
Google/ Rick Broyles

You'll definitely have fun tapping into your inner child when you interact with the exhibits at this unique museum. Therefore, make sure to bring your camera when you go.

A person playfully rides a vintage mechanical horse inside a museum, with colorful displays in the background.
Facebook/ C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

Since you're able to play and interact with some of the exhibits, it might feel like you're at a carnival.

Children playing in a museum, interacting with a colorful display featuring a seated character.
Facebook/ C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

Have a blast reflecting on childhood memories as you go for a ride on this traditional carousel at the museum.

A vintage carousel with riders on horses, featuring bright lights and a cheerful atmosphere.
Facebook/ C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

As you roam through the museum, you'll learn about some historic events that happened in this part of Kansas too. This includes images of when Johnny Cash performed in Leavenworth.

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Collage of Johnny Cash concert photos, featuring performances and a poster with details about the event and special guests.
Facebook/ C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is also an ideal venue for a special occasion like a birthday party, business event, or wedding!

A couple sits together on a vintage carousel ride, enjoying the view and each other's company.
Facebook/ C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

Visit C.W. Parker Carousel Museum's website for more information about this unique destination in Kansas. Feel free to check out their Facebook page too.

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Experiences|Museums

Take A Stroll Through Kansas’s Past At This Historic House Museum

Published Dec 12, 2023

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

We have a number of great museums in Kansas, and some of my favorites are our great historical house museums. One of my favorites is the Evah Cray Museum in Atchison, KS, right near the border with Missouri. This Victorian era home is still set up just as it was when it was built nearly 150 years ago, and it's such a great place to take a walk back in time and see what life was like in the late 1800s in Kansas. Check it out:

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Atchison is best known as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, perhaps the most famous pilot of all time.

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Evah Cray Museum

However, it's also home to the Evah Cray House.

The home is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and it's home to some remarkable antiques.

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Evah Cray Musuem

This house was built by W.W. Hetherington in 1882. Hetherington was the son of the Exchange National Bank of Atchinson's founder.

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Pam Davis/Google Reviews

The Hetherington family lived in the house for 80 years. In 1978, the house was bought by Cloud Cray, Sr. for his wife Evah Cray, a lover of history.

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Pam Davis/Google Reviews

Evah Cray dedicated her life to decorating the home with beautiful Victorian-era furniture and relics. By the time she passed in 1992, the home was filled with a collection of amazing antiques.

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Pam Davis/Google Reviews

There are so many unique pieces in here that make a visit to this museum like a step back in time.

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Pam Davis/Google Reviews

For more information about this great historic house museum in Atchison, KS, check out the Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum Facebook page or the Evah Cray Museum website.

Atchison is a one of the best historical cities in Kansas and overall perfect for those looking to check out the Sunflower State's rich past. I love this vacation rental home in Atchison, KS that's not far from the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.

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Experiences|Museums

Travel Back In Time And Walk Among Dinosaurs At This Kansas Museum

Published Nov 21, 2023

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

In a world of political divide and debate over just about everything, it can feel like there's nothing people can agree on. However, there are still some things that pretty much everyone seems to enjoy. One of these universally popular things is dinosaurs. Whether you're 8 or 80, dinosaurs are pretty dino-mite, aren't they? (Sorry, I couldn't resist the cheesy pun!) If you're looking to see dinosaurs in Kansas, we may not have any real live ones, but one great museum where you can see life-sized models is the Fort Hays State University's Stenberg Museum of Natural History. This place is an amazing family outing with all kinds of fun attractions. Check it out:

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This magical museum covers a variety of natural history topics, not just dinosaurs.

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Lisa Berry/Google Reviews

There are frequently special exhibits and events going on that make this a great outing for the entire family.

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Fort Hays State University

One pretty spectacular current feature is Expedition Dinosaurs: Rise of the Mammals.

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Fort Hays State University

This exhibit runs from September 29 to December 21, 2023

You'll see dinosaurs and mammals from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods, and learn all about what led to the extinction of dinosaurs.

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Deana Miller/Google Reviews

In addition to these neat special exhibits, there are a number of great permanent exhibits here, too.

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Abby O/Google Reviews

The exhibit on rattlesnakes is pretty fascinating, but there are also lots of fossils and models here that feature species once native to Kansas.

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Phil Baker/Google Reviews

It's amazing to see some of the specimens here and think about what Kansas looked like millions of years ago!

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Chris LaBay/Google Reviews

For more information about current exhibits at this natural history museum in Kansas, check out the Sternberg Museum of Natural History website or the Sternberg Museum Facebook page.

Looking for a unique place to stay in Hays, KS? The Bissing House is a great option that's filled with quaint charm.

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