The uniquely charming building at 624 Olive Street was the home of the Fred Harvey family.  Mr. Harvey was often credited with civilizing the West.  This mansion is currently undergoing extensive restoration, and will reopen as the National Fred Harvey Museum. 

After the American Civil War, many railroad companies were in fierce competition to open routes in the unsettled western frontier to the Pacific Ocean.  Travelers riding trains into the wild frontier had difficulty getting decent food, and often had to endure gastronomic tortures with high prices, and crude lodging.  Fred Harvey opened restaurants and later hotels to better accommodate travelers along the routes of the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad in the primitive Southwest. The Harvey House restaurants introduced meals of the highest level, served in pleasing surroundings, at moderate prices.  Similarly, Harvey House hotels provided clean, comfortable lodgings at reasonable prices.  His company was the first to have women food servers, who became the famous “Harvey Girls”.  They were glamorized in MGM’s 1946 movie “The Harvey Girls” staring Judy Garland.  The Harvey House restaurants and hotels (and later luxurious resorts) became the world’s first chain of hospitality providers. 

This house was built in 1869, and was purchased by Mr. Harvey for his family in 1883.  The property was home to the Harvey family until 1943.  Fred Harvey died in his bedroom in 1901.  The property was then used as a dormitory for nursing candidates of Cushing Hospital (two blocks south) until 1949.  The Leavenworth School district made major modifications to the mansion before moving in, and they remained until 1976.  The Leavenworth County government used the building until 2000.  The Leavenworth Historical Museum Association, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) is currently restoring the mansion to its circa 1900 elegance.  The museum is not open regular hours due to construction, however; tours can be arranged by phoning (913) 727-5036 or by email at:  fredharveymuseum@lvnworth.com.  More information is available at the website:  www.firstcitymuseums.org.