Easter: 1860s Style at Mahaffie

Discover how this religious festival became a celebration for everyone. Activities may include:

• Try a hot cross bun baked on the cookstove
• Learn about Oschter Haws, the original Easter Bunny
• Visit the blacksmith
• Visit the Mahaffie House
• Take a stagecoach
• All activities are included with admission: $7/adults, $5/children ages 5-11, children 4 & under are free. Olathe residents receive $2 off admission.

Prior to the middle of the 19th century, the celebration of Easter as a formal holiday was generally limited to Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian and Episcopalian denominations who had strong liturgical traditions. According to historian Leigh Eric Schmidt, this began to change in the mid 19th century America when, "Middle-class Victorians, as fascinated as every with the romantic recovery of fading holiday traditions and the cultivation of new home- centered festivities, discovered lush possibilities in this spring rite."