Christmas Time at the Johnson County Museum
Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
The Johnson County Museum is one of the metro’s best resources for local history. With award-winning long-term exhibits featuring local history, including the beloved 1950s electric house and displays remembering local businesses, as well as changing exhibits, the museum is a great place to spend a day. Little ones love the hands-on play space at KidScape where they can play and imagine they are all grown up in a pint-sized interactive village.
I especially love the nostalgic atmosphere of the All-Electric House at Christmas time when it's all decked out with an aluminum tree, festive stockings, and packages.
So, what are visitors to expect when they visit the Johnson County Museum?
The signature of the museum is its history exhibits telling the story of Johnson County from its founding and its namesake, Rev. Thomas Johnson, through the 1950s and 1960s where many early businesses are celebrated, and stories telling what life was like for early Johnson Countians through the modern era. Many artifacts are on display, most memorably the neon White Haven Motor Lodge sign, models of early businesses, and memorabilia from local citizens.
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
One of the most beloved attractions at the museum is the All-Electric House, originally built in 1955 and owned by five families over the years before it was donated to the museum. The house showcases what modern life would be like for some of the first Americans to be able to take full advantage of all electric appliances, indoor plumbing, and modern conveniences.
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Every year, the All-Electric House is decked out for Christmas and special holiday exhibits are added telling the story of Christmas past in Johnson County. I love the sparkly aluminum tree lit with its color wheel in the house, the Santa Selfie Station, and the decorations from Metcalf South Shopping Mall.
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
For children, KidScape is the FAVORITE attraction at the museum (and it is THE reason our family had a membership for many years - this is a GREAT place for children to play, especially when the weather isn't great outside). KidScape is a fantastic child-sized village where little ones may experience imaginative play in a clean, safe environment. I recommend KidScape for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-aged children. The facility is ideally all housed in one large open room with one set of doors, making it easy for parents to keep an eye on their children while they explore the space. With the wide variety of play spaces including a pretend hospital, diner, city market, cabin, pioneer wagon, theater, post office, boat, and more - children easily enjoy playing here for an hour or more.
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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KidScape at the Johnson County Museum photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
The Johnson County Museum is an excellent family-friendly museum to visit locally and it is also one of the most affordable museums in the metro with admission at less than $10 /per person and memberships at $60/per year for a family.
Johnson County Museum staff, 2020
Johnson County Museum
8788 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas
Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays