Curator's Message

It is a new year and new effort is being harnessed in order to get the museum ready for visitor’s season. Many of you in greater Leavenworth can lend some of your time and talent in whatever capacity you wish. The original plans developed in 1988 by our Leavenworth Historical Museum Association are being implemented and include numerous topics that recall the history not only of the City of Leavenworth but also Leavenworth County. There is a large amount of newspaper, periodicals and books to be sorted. After sortation these artifacts will be placed in the new repository room within the Exhibit Hall West.

A partial list of items of interest include important personages, churches, public and parochial schools, banking and insurance industry, manufacturing, railroading, saloon and brewery businesses, and retail enterprises, among others. Visit the museum any morning between 8-11am and inquire about how you can help to make progress happen.

Traveling Exhibit - Mugged! A Rogue's Gallery of Leavenworth Penitentiary Mug Shots

Arrangements have been made with the Central Plains Region of the National Archives to display the photographic exhibit of inmate mug shots. This exhibit will be on display during July, August and September of 2008.

Doll Collection

A recent donation of more than 300 dolls from the estate of the late Florence Thomas is awaiting sortation and placement with two large 8 foot tall display cases.

Sachse Tool Collection

Progress continues to complete the display of the late John Sachse tool collection of more than 1,800 items. A tool shed has been constructed inside the museum. Volunteers needed to sort and display this massive collection.

Prison Industry

More than 1,100 square feet is being used to showplace the overall incarceration background of Leavenworth. Exhibits included are the U.S. Penitentiary, the Discipline Barracks, the Lansing Correctional Facility, the Corrections Corporation of America and a 10 by 12 foot walk-through jail cell from the former Leavenworth County Jail which has been reinstalled in the museum. The cell shows a hinged cell door and a sliding cell door, two bunk beds and stainless steel sink, mirror, shower and commode. Also diplayed is a section of the visitor’s booth where the inmate and visitor spoke with a hand held telephone while being separated by a pane of one-inch shatterproof glass.

Railroad Industry

Progress is being made to restore the 24 foot Kansas Central narrow gauge boxcar in front of the Exhibit Hall East. Ninety percent of the metal parts are in place after efforts by a volunteer to sand blast and repaint the parts. Very little useable timber was retrieved so the restoration project is using modern lumber where necessary. The boxcar sets atop railroad ties and rails.

Three baggage carts are on long term loan and displayed. Some restoration will be accomplished as a courtesy to the donor. A Santa Fe railroad display has been started showing the trackage from Chicago to San Francisco along with miniature models of a few of the Fred Harvey restaurants and depots. This exhibit eventually will be transferred to the National Fred Harvey Museum, a companion museum of the association.

Manufacturing Industry

An inspection of the 100-year old City Directories lists dozens of manufacturers that provided freight to the thriving railroad industry into and out of Leavenworth. One of those was the Kramer Manufacturing Company until it ceased to exist in 1972. The museum has a commander’s cupola of a Patton tank of which Kramer manufactured a few hundred in the 1960’s. It will become the focal point of numerous other manufacturing industries that existed in Leavenworth. It is complete with the 5-foot tall bench device which facilitated the worker’s efforts.

Conclusion

For any specific information or inquiries please call the museum at 913-682-1866 or email me at first_city_museum@yahoo.com Please contact us about volunteering a few hours every week or month. You will find working at the museum a good experience. Working with the public is rewarding and our staff is dedicated to making the museum one Leavenworth's best. Currently we are looking for Greeters and Docents. Call us today!

C. H. Van Orden