C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

320 S. Esplanade

 

Have a Merry-Go-Round Day! 

 

Ride a restored antique Parker carousel and tour the museum dedicated to telling the remarkable story of C.W. Parker, the "Carnival King".  Charles Wallace Parker made Leavenworth, Kansas the carousel capital of the world by producing more carousels in Leavenworth than any other city in the United States.

C.W. Parker brought his amusement company to Leavenworth in 1910.  A beautifully restored 1913 carousel from those earliest years, gives a unique ride to the young at heart of all ages.  The wooden 24 horses, 3 ponies, and two rabbits are all hand-carved.  In addition to the rare rabbits on this machine, there is also a "lovers tub" that spins when the mechanism is turning, and a 'chariot' available for the handicapped.

There are two other carousels in the museum.  One is the oldest operating, hand cranked, wooden carousel, built around 1860 which is on loan from the National Carousel Association.  The other is a 1950 carousel with aluminum horses, built by Paul Parker, C.W.'s son.  In addition, many artifacts, horses, photos and letters from the Parker era are in the museum, plus artifacts from a third Leavenworth manufacturer of carousels, the Theel Manufacturing Co.

Special arrangements can be made for parties, birthdays, receptions, weddings, meetings, dinners and bus tours are welcome. Prepared teacher's curriculums are available to be used in conjunction with school field trips. They help make learning FUN!

Open Thursday - Saturday, 11am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm. Admission is charged. See www.firstcitymuseums.org. or call (913) 682-1331, or 1 (800) 844-4114.

Carroll Mansion
1128 5th Avenue

 

A visit to this mansion is an experience into the past. You will enter a Victorian home finished in 1882. It features elaborate handcrafted woodwork, beautiful stained glass windows and elegant antiques from the Victorian Age era to the early 20th century.

The mansion gift shop allows the visitor to browse through a variety of Leavenworth and Kansas memorabilia and books on the history of Leavenworth and Kansas.  A variety of Victorian style gifts can also be found.

The mansion is only one of the activities of the Leavenworth County Historical Society (LCHS). The LCHS was founded in 1954 to research and preserve an accurate history on the area, to encourage pride in the achievements of Leavenworth pioneers and to stimulate interest in local history.

The mansion is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10:30am-4:30pm.  Closed, Sundays and Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission is charged. For more information on mansion activities and the historical society, contact (913) 682-7759 during operating hours or visit their website, http://leavenworthhistory.org.

 

Carnegie Arts Center
5th & Walnut Streets

 

The Leavenworth Carnegie Arts Center is located in the oldest Leavenworth Public Library until 1987.  Today this private, non-profit organization offers the community fine art instruction in music, visual art, dance, drama and the humanities.  The Stacks Gallery hosts regional and national artists year round which are free and open to the public.  Office and gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturdays 9am-2pm and evenings when classes are held. 

Call (913)651-0765 for more information or visit  www.leavenwortharts.org for an on-line class listings.

 

Richard Allen Cultural Center
412 Kiowa Street

 

The Richard Allen Cultural Center (Museum) opened its doors in 1992 - across the street from the historic Bethel A.M.E. Church which was part of the Underground Railroad.

The center offers a glimpse into the history of African-Americans locally and nationwide. It was created to ensure that the rich heritage of African-Americans and their profound effect on American society would not be lost. The center is dedicated to researching, collecting, preserving and disseminating the history of African-Americans.

Visitors and school children can learn about the accomplishments of African-Americans as well as view memorabilia from General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Buffalo Soldiers, uniforms, freedom papers from former slaves, photographs, items from the Bethel Church, and more.

The museum's mission and purpose is to educate the public about the rich history of African-Americans and their contributions to every phase of American life.  

Hours are Monday and Thursday, 1-6pm; Friday 1-5pm; Saturday, 10am to 1pm, or by appointment, (913) 682-8772, admission charged.

Frontier Army Museum
Reynolds Avenue, Fort Leavenworth

 

The Frontier Army Museum tells the story of Fort Leavenworth from 1827 to 1917 and the history of the frontier Army from 1804, when Lewis and Clark passed by present day Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth. Rotating exhibits highlight uniforms, weapons and equipment used during the fort's early days. Items include Brig. Gen. Henry Leavenworth's dress coat and saber, his portrait by George Catlin, the carriage presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln rode in in 1859, and a sleigh owned by George and Libby Custer.  Their newest permanent exhibit is the "Beyond Lewis and Clark" - the Military Exploration of the American West. Hours are M-F, 9am-4pm; Sat. 10am-4pm; closed Sundays and federal holidays. (913) 684-3767

The gift shop in the museum has a variety of souvenirs, from mugs to original watercolors for purchase. (913) 651-7440.   

For group tour information, call (913) 682-4113.

NOTE:  A picture ID is required upon entering Fort Leavenworth.

Website is:  http://usacac.leavenworth.army.mil/CAC/csi/museum.asp

 

                                                       Fort Leavenworth
                                                                   Main Entrance is located at 7th and Metropolitan Avenue

 

Established in 1827, this is the oldest Army fort in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. Branches of the Oregon and Santa Fe trails traverse the fort. Some of the highlights of the fort include the National Cemetery, Command and General Staff College, a 17 Historical Wayside Tour, Memorial Chapel, and many historic buildings. Among these is the Rookery which is the oldest residence in Kansas. Also notable are the old cannons overlooking the beautiful scenery and view of the Missouri River from the bluffs. See Fort Leavenworth Waysides in the Main Menu. 

NOTE:  A picture ID is required upon entering Fort Leavenworth.

 

 

 

Buffalo Soldier Monument
Fort Leavenworth

 

This magnificent monument was dedicated in 1992 to the memory of the 9th & 10th Cavalry Regiments comprised of black soldiers. Headquartered in Louisiana and Leavenworth, Kansas, these troopers proved their bravery and valor throughout the Indian Wars. They won the respect of the Cheyenne warriors who named them "Buffalo Soldiers", a badge of honor accepted and worn with pride by these black cavalry troopers.

 The monument project was initiated by General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth. Open daily during daylight hours, no admission charged.

NOTE:  A picture ID is required upon entering Fort Leavenworth.

 

                                                 University of Saint Mary
4100 South 4th Street Trafficway

 

A private four-year coed university located across the street from the Veterans Administration Center. The University's administration building, St. Mary Hall, was completed in 1870. Visitors are welcomed to visit the De Paul Library's Special Collections: The Sacred Scripture Collection, the Abraham Lincoln Collection, the Charles Dickens Collection, Hummel Collection, the Shakespeare Collection and the Kansas Collection. The University's park-like grounds include a wildlife preserve. To schedule a free tour of the Special Collection, call the De Paul Library, (913) 758-6306.

 

 

 

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

4101 South 4th Street Trafficway

 

While visiting the Veterans Administration Center and its grounds, you will want to see the Chapel of the Veteran's. The chapel, built in 1893, features architecture reminiscent of the early European cathedrals. In 1921, this attraction was made famous in RIPLEY's "Believe It or Not" as the only church in which Protestant and Catholic services were conducted simultaneously. It is open to the public year round from 8am to 5pm, except during weddings or funerals.

 

                                          

                                          Performing Arts Center
                                                    500 Delaware Street

 

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1938 theater is a wonderful architectural example of the later phase of the Art Deco movement. Formally called the Hollywood Theater, this structure entertained the public on its silver screen for nearly forty years. Donated to the city by the Durwood, Inc., former owners, in 1977, this theater now hosts live performances by the River City Community Players.

Upcoming performances are listed in our Calendar of Events page.

                                                                              

 

 

First City Museum

743 Delaware Street

 

Leavenworth Landing Park
Cherokee and Esplanade Streets

 

The Leavenworth Landing Park, located on the Missouri River, revives one of the major river landing sites where boats loaded and unloaded travelers and freight. The design of the Leavenworth Landing Park focuses on the role of Leavenworth as the "Gateway to the West", with emphasis on the various modes of transportation that led to the growth of Leavenworth as the major jumping off point for settlers heading West. The park includes a walking trail, sculptures of a steam locomotive and Conestoga wagon, plaza areas depicting a railroad round house and steamship paddle wheel, river overlooks, landscaping and parking areas. The Leavenworth Landing Park is designed to provide a beautiful relaxing place to view the Missouri River, enjoy a walk along its banks, and provide a great place for family fun. Open daily to the public.  The first Wayside Historical Tour Marker on the walking tour is located within the entrance.

 

Leavenworth Historical Wayside Tour
Walking Tour starts at the Leavenworth Landing Park

 

Leavenworth, the "First City of Kansas", invites you to take a walk back in time and explore the history of "Where the West Began" by visiting our Historic Wayside Tour.

Waysides are interactive displays located throughout Leavenworth that feature unique local artwork depicting images of significant historical people, structures or events associated with that site.  State-of-the-art digital technology allows you to hear a recorded narrative with the mere push of a button.  There are 13 Waysides located in the riverfront downtown area that can be experienced as a walking tour as well as six Waysides as a driving tour.  In addition there are Waysides located at the north and south entrances on HW 7/73.

From Abraham Lincoln, to Buffalo Bill Cody, to Susan B. Anthony, to the Star of the West Saloon, to the Underground Railroad to our African-American "Unsung Heroes", we know you will be captivated by Leavenworth's abundant history.  The citizens of Leavenworth, past and present, are eager to share their warm hospitality and unique history and heritage with you.

Email connie.cvb@sbcglobal.net for a Wayside brochure/map or order one from the Leavenworth Convention & Visitors Bureau, 518 Shawnee or pick one up at the information center located at the north entrance to town on North HW 7/73. http://www.lvks.org/historic_tours.htm

                                       

           Historic Leavenworth County Courthouse Murals

Leavenworth County recently renovated its 1911-1913 Classical Revival-style Courthouse, including the addition of three interior murals painted by local artists (two of which are known nationally).   One mural tells the story of "Bleeding Kansas", another, the story of Kansans' enduring struggle for freedom;  and the final one pays tribute to KS agriculture.