125 Years Young

Congratulations to Independence Boulevard Christian Church congregation... celebrating 125 years of service this weekend. Above, the Sanctuary... which is over 100 years old.

Museum Quality Fuel Oil

What's big, buried and forgotten? A fuel oil tank under the grounds of the KC Museum.... A tell tale vent pipe gave it away... at some point Corinthian Hall switched from coal to fuel oil for heat. A little cleaner and a lot easier than shoveling. Over time though the tank was forgotten.... at least until recently when engineers were checking the grounds in preparation for the installation of the new HVAC. The Museum's Engineer mentioned the vent pipe and an exploration of the subterranean parts of the old building revealed a gauge... a switch was flipped and the gauge went to zero and then to 3,500 gallons..... whoops. Today (Fri) a truck was on site to pump out the tank. Wonder what other surprises might lay in wait?

Playhouse In The Attic

These pictures were taken prior to the Museum's closing for renovation. I'm grateful to Christopher Leitch the Historic House Director for the Museum for allowing me to go through one last time to photograph the exhibits. He was also kind enough to show my daughter Kelly and I the third floor, attic and roof. Below is a shot from the roof looking down at the front gate on Gladstone Boulevard.... this is four stories up and we are looking toward the south.Below... in the attic is a full-sized playhouse that R.A. Long built for his grandchildren.... this really is adult scale and the attic is tall enough to house it. Word from the grandchildren though is they thought it was a little creepy.
Below.... a dormer and the furniture elevator that could be used to winch up items from the third floor for storage.
It's operated by hand power.....

Above... closeup of one of the copper sheathed dormer windows that are so prominent on the roofline.
Original wallpaper on the ceiling of the attic.
Prior to the removal of all the exhibits for the renovation the attic was used as storage space for old exhibit materials, posters and all sorts of things.
Note the steel beams holding up the roof.

Above.... heading up stairs to the roof.
The view north (above) showing the Natural History Hall.... now being restored as the carriage house it originally was... new windows and doors and the hall entrance addition has been removed.
Above... looking southeast. The large stone house in the foreground originally sat where Corinthian Hall is now and was moved at R.A. Longs expense to help create a space for his home. To the left and rear of that home is Melrose Methodist Church founded by Nathan Scarritt in the 1880s... still going strong.
Wider shot still looking southeast.
The Steven's House.... 1902... now totally restored.
Again looking north over the rooftop of the servants quarters.

Northwesterly view out over Kessler Park and Cliff Drive.
Looking due West.
Excellent view of the KC skyline... not nearly as populated by tall buildings in 1910.


Looking east above and west below.

Above the neighborhood.... Scarritt Renaissance... large stone church in the middle is the old Eastminster Presbyterian Church... structure beyond it is St. Anthony's formerly Assumption Catholic Church.
Heading back down the iron staircase. In a future post I'll show pictures of the third floor before what was left of the exhibits was removed including scenes from the igloo room.

Fairy Princess Season is Here

With the arrival of the Fairy Princess, truly 'Tis the Season at Corinthian Hall over here in Northeast KC.
Scarritt Renaissance neighbors Mike Stringer, Jason Milbradt and Bob Robinson got decorations and put them up themselves on the Museum and on the nearby Benton Circle and Colonnade.

Around in back Helen will greet most visitors as they arrive to see the Princess. This entrance is on the north side of the building.
Check in and get your tickets at the Visitor's Center.
The Fairy Princess is holding court in the old Long carriage house which is in the early stages of renovation. Lots of room this year for mini-princesses to visit.


Some of the critters dress in Princess appropriate attire.
If you wish you can have your picture taken with the Princess... she doesn't mind one bit... this is Princess Dani. This is her first year as a real Princess. I believe there are four Princesses this year working in royal shifts. Princess Tiffany who is also helping is in her ninth year.

Princess Dani waves her wand with the help of her new little friend and the magic gift chest opens. There is a chest for girls and one for boys.

You can tell Princesses secrets too. They're very good at keeping them forever.

Kudos once again to Christopher, Rebecca, Andrew and the rest of the staff at the Museum for doing another splendid job readying the Princess' Court.
THE IGLOO IS BACK.... bigger and bluer than ever.... and is right across the hall from the Princess. Kids can go inside and explore and even peek through the windows.


No unnecessary wanding is allowed.... but practice waving is encouraged.

There is all kinds of neat official princess stuff too and only good can come from helping out the Museum by buying some.


Photos of past princesses are shown... back when the Princess held court at Kline's Department Store. Both fortunately and unfortunately Hyper is old enough to have been there... but I don't remember it.


If you have a photo taken with the Princess you pick it up on your way out.... there's a free cookie too....
The best for last. Carol Barta is the Princess Emeritus with the Longest Reign. She visited last night along with other past Princesses during the Holiday Open House. She's the tops.

For more information on the Fairy Princess visited the Museum website at : http://www.unionstation.org/kansascitymuseum/