Visiting the Johnson County Museum

Name: Visiting the Johnson County Museum
Item: Johnson County Museum
Author: Kristina Light

by Kristina Light

January 2, 2023

midnight

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.

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

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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