Special Exhibit: Collecting

Museum collecting image shelves with artifacts

COLLECTING: How. What. Why.

learn-more-donate-button-for-website Opens in new windowOver the past 55 years, the Johnson County Museum has collected more than 20,000 artifacts, 1.3 million photographs, and 300 cubic feet of archival material from private institutions, businesses, and individuals just like you. From stickers, maps, and household objects to an entire house, photographs, newspapers, and other archival material, these items help the Museum meet its goal of preserving and sharing the history of Johnson County, Kansas.

accession-tag-explained-for-websiteThis companion page to our exhibit featured at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center will help you to learn more about every artifact that is pictured above. Simply click on one of the featured artifacts to see the item’s accession number, a close up photo, item name, description, and which theme in the Museum’s Collecting Plan the artifact is associated with. 

Items below are listed in numerical order by their accession number.






Accession NumberPhotoItem NameDescriptionTheme
1967.001.094shaving-brushShaving BrushShaving brushes were common household items during the19th and 20th centuries. This particular brush belonged to Harry King, Jr., the postmaster and general store owner in Zarah, Kansas.
People/Community
1967.004.016coffee-potCoffee PotThis enamelware coffee pot was donated by Joan Barkley Wells of Mission during the first year of the Museum's existence. With her mother, Marguerite Barkley, these founding women collected and donated many objects to the Museum's collection.
People/Community
1967.004.045ironsIronsThis arrangement of five irons from different time periods shows a change in technology over time. With the advent of the electric iron and other appliances, women's domestic work changed.
People/Community
1968.001.001 a-icob_Stove 1ToyThis toy stove dates to the early 20th century. Made by the Kenton Hardware Company, the "Venus" model stove was a real working miniature stove for young girls - like an early version of an Easy Bake Oven. This one belonged to a young Loretta Ensor. Loretta and her brother Marshall went on to be nationally-recognized ham radio pioneers, broadcasting from their family farm in Olathe.People/Community, Economy
1968.048.043 bbrushHairbrush
This antique hairbrush originally belonged to the Goe family of Johnson County.
People/Community
1972.029.011nail-fileNail BufferThis Revlon nail buffer is made of wood, metal, leather, and plastic. It was manufactured in the United States and used in Johnson County.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1982.004.000doctor-bagDoctor's BagDoctor's bags were essential accessories for physicians, especially the ones that traveled for their profession. This bag belonged to Roeland Park resident Dr. Richard L. Lehner, a staff physician, who worked at St. Luke's Hospital for 37 years.
People/Community
1987.033.197wrapped-quiltQuiltThis quilt's style is commonly referred to as a crazy quilt, often made from scrap material. It is attributed to the Dille family, who lived between Gardner and Edgerton, across from the Lanesfield one-room schoolhouse. Clark Dille was one of the first Johnson County commissioners.
People/Community
1987.044.010leg-braceLeg BraceOriginally used by Dr. A.S Reece, this leg splint is an example of the medical tools and aids that were available in Johnson County during the 20th century. This is one of the many objects in the Museum's collection from Reece Hospital in Gardner, Kansas, which opened in 1934.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1987.44.605chandelierCeiling FixtureThis ceiling light fixture hung in Reece Hospital in Gardner, Kansas, operated by Dr. A.S. Reece.
Suburban Image
1988.000.370 bhagaman-medalMedalThe Rainbow Division, or the 42nd Infantry Division, was a military unit deployed to France during World War I. This reunion medal belonged to Johnson Countian and former Kansas Governor Frank L. Hagaman. 
People/Community
1988.000.414scaleScaleThe Central Scientific Company was founded in 1900 in Chicago, Illinois. Eventually, the Cenco Company became the dominating leaders in the scientific tools industry. 
People/Community, Economy
1988.011.002 a-bfloor-lampFloor LampDuring the early 20th century standing electric lamps became popular in middle-class households. 
Suburban Image
1989.032.015whizzo-boxTrunkPortrayed by Frank Wiziarde of Prairie Village, Kansas, Whizzo the Clown was a popular children's television character in the Kansas City metro area from 1953 to 1987. This wooden trunk is one of the props that Wiziarde and his wife created for the show's set. 
People/Community
1989.039.002 a-omicroscopeMicroscopeThis Bausch and Lomb microscope was originally used by Dr. William C. Harkey of Gardner, Kansas. Dr. Harkey was a "horse and buggy" physician from the early 20th century. Dr. Harkey graduated from University Medical College in Kansas City in 1900, and practiced medicine until his death in 1935.
People/Community, Economy
1990.066.001 a-bcowboy-bootsBootsIn 1875, Charles H. (C.H.) Hyer, opened the Hyer Boot Company in Olathe. The company's boots became popular nationwide because of a measuring system that allowed customers to mail order their boots by tracing their own feet. These custom boots were owned by William "Buz" McGee of Olathe.
Economy
1991.037.001shawnee-townshipAtlasAtlases are useful tools for historians and researchers. This Shawnee Township map from the 1922 Atlas Map of Johnson County, Kansas, was compiled and published by the Geo. A. Ogle & Co. of Chicago and can be found within the Museum's atlas collection and on jocohistory.org.
People/Community
1991.113.002 a-dbrownie-cameraMotion Picture CameraDuring the 20th century, Kodak created this motion camera suitable for home use. Home movies became popular family mementos during this time. This 1957 8mm Brownie Movie Camera from Kodak used by the Magerl family of Overland Park.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1993.087.032 a-nnpaper-dollsPaper DollsThis pair of paper dolls were made by the Whitman Publishing Company and played with by Shawnee resident Terry Canaday, as a child. They date to the 1950s.
People/Community
1993.087.041baby-carriageStrollerThis Taylor Tot baby walker stroller was used by the Canaday family of Shawnee in the late 1950s.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1994.138.000doll-high-chairDoll High ChairMarti Moore received this doll highchair as a Christmas present in 1954, when she was 2 or 3 years old. Marti and her family lived in Lake Quivira at the time.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1995.071.000 c-dtulip-chairDining ChairThe Tulip Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956. It is part of a Mid-century Modern style dining set, used by former county manager Gene Denton and his wife Gigi of Overland Park.
People/Community, Suburban Image, Economy
1996.046.160wooden-boxBoxThis long wooden box with a hinged lid is divided into the three compartments inside. Outside, the top and front are decorated with peony flowers and foliage, done with a wood burning technique.
People/Community
1998.009.032holiday-elfFigurineThis 1957 German-made ceramic Christmas elf figurine was part of a set and owned by the Sharp family of Prairie Village.
People/Community, Suburban Image
1999.005.002lighterLighterJohnson County residents William and Mary Lou Akright received this sterling silver "Ronson" cigarette lighter and holder set as a wedding gift. The couple married at Kansas City's Country Club Christian Church on Ward Parkway on February 1, 1950. 
People/Community
2000.036.003 a-bpicnic-basketPicnic BasketPicnic baskets are iconic symbols for parks and the outdoors. This 1950s picnic basket was used by Donald and Carol Love of Overland Park. 
People/Community, Suburban Image
2001.017.040rained-out-signSign
Employees at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant organized baseball teams, and this sign was used to communicate a rain out game. 
People/Community
2002.032.004 aumbrellaUmbrellaAnne Schmidt received this brightly colored umbrella as a gift from a friend. It came packaged in a Harzfeld's box, purchased at the popular department store in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The original box is also in the Museum's collection.
People/Community, Suburban Image, Economy
2003.042.005butterfly-dressDressDuring the 1950s dresses were a fashion standard for most young women. This butterfly pattern dress was originally worn to dances by Johnson Countian, Cathy Lowry. It is handmade from polished cotton and is adorned with rhinestones. 
People/Community, Suburban Image
2005.020.001 a-ovaccuumVacuumThe electric vacuum revolutionized home cleaning. After WWII housewives in Johnson County become more dependent on themselves instead of outside help in maintaining their residences. This 1944 Hoover electric vacuum was originally owned by Britton and Sadie Powell of Westwood. 
Suburban Image
2006.033.140 ggtiny-blue-chairDoll FurnitureThis barrel-style light blue doll chair was donated along with a larger dollhouse furniture collection from the Jones family of Leawood. It was made in the 1940s, a time when many plastic manufacturers transitioned to non-war production.
People/Community
2007.009.001buddy-lee-dollDollIn 1889, Lee Jeans opened its original location in Salina, Kansas, and eventually moved operations to Merriam. To boost marketing in the 1920s, the company created the Buddy Lee doll. Buddy Lee became iconic and was in use into the 2000s. 
People/Community, Economy
2008.050.001starburst-clockClockThis vibrant and abstract Mid-century Modern style clock was used in the home of Henry and Elizabeth Hagedorn of Shawnee.
Suburban Image
2009.032.001 a-bdairy-glass-jarBottleDuring the first half of the 20th century, dairying and agriculture were important businesses in Johnson County. The Olathe View Dairy bottled their milk in clear glass bottles with a paper caps like this one. 
Economy, Environment
2010.031.012golf-clubGolf ClubThe Kenneth Smith Golf Company opened in 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1935, the company relocated and began producing custom golf clubs in Shawnee, Kansas. Frank Spannraft ordered a set of custom clubs that included this handmade 9-iron while serving in the U.S. military in West Berlin, Germany, in 1947.
Suburban Image, Economy, Environment
2012.021.001barometerBarometerThis barometer is attached to a plaque advertising the Tom Haskins Prescription Pharmacy of Shawnee. 
People/Community, Economy
2012.026.019 a-cice-skatesIce SkatesThese ice skates were originally used by Carolyn Addington of Overland Park in the late 1950s at Antioch Park, Lake Waukomis, and King Louie West Ice Chateau.
People/Community
2012.029.041 a-dhappy-doll-familyDollsMattel mass-produced the white Sunshine Family dolls (1974 - 1978) and the African American Happy Family dolls (after 1975). These dolls, as well as their accessories and booklets, were purchased at the T.G. & Y. store located at Neiman and 63rd Street in Shawnee.
People/Community
2012.039.001 aparade-of-homesBookThe Parade of Homes catalog, published by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, advertised ideal suburban homes to potential buyers. Each year, dozens of newly-built homes were opened as show homes around the Kansas City metro, many fully-furnished by local department stores to advertise the American Dream.  
Suburban Image
2013.022.027wooden-sculptureWooden CarvingThis carving was made by a hired hand who worked for the Hugh White family on the Wolverine Dairy farm. The White Haven Motor Lodge was later built on the dairy site.
People/Community
2015.031.016white-haven-key-fobKey FobThe White Haven Motor Lodge opened in 1957 as a suburban getaway for guests and visitors. It had an iconic neon sign, displayed in the Museum today. The Motor Lodge closed in 2009.
Suburban Image, Economy
2015.038.001 a-eburglar-alarmBurglar AlarmThis "Crime Alert" burglar alarm was made by Electro Dynamics Corporation of Mission, Kansas for homes and businesses.
People/Community, Economy
2016.030.040I-like-ike-buttonCampaign ButtonDwight D. Eisenhower remains the only United States President from Kansas. This campaign button was from his successful presidential campaign in 1952. 
People/Community, Government/Politics
2017.003.002tonka-truckToy TruckOriginally founded as a garden tool company in 1946, Tonka Toys Incorporated began manufacturing metal toy trucks by 1955. This truck belonged to the Torchia family of Overland Park.People/Community
2017.023.001double-polaroid-cameraCameraThis camera was used at the Metcalf South Shopping Center during the Christmas season to take photos with Santa Claus. OER manufactured commercial photographic equipment including special event cameras based on Polaroid Instant Film. Double polaroid cameras allow the photographer to take two photos with a single shot.
People/Community, Economy, Suburban Image
2017.025.002smacks-lunchboxLunch BoxThis dome-shaped, hinged, hand painted lunch box was made for the Llewellyn family, who owned Smaks restaurants. The artwork represents the father (Ted), mother (Dottie), son Ted, and three daughters Kim, Robin, and Lynn. One of the early restaurant locations was on Johnson Drive in Mission, Kansas.
People/Community, Economy
2017.026.043 a-bcovered-dishDishIn 1915, the Pyrex Company began producing long-lasting , low-thermal glass. In the 1940s, Pyrex dishes hit the market and revolutionized cooking because they could be used in gas, electric, and coal ovens. The Torchia family of Overland Park used this casserole dish.
Suburban Image
2017.026.047trycycleTricycleThis tricycle has the initials "MT" for Mark Torchia of Overland Park painted on the back in white paint.
People/Community
2017.027.002motorcycleMotorcycleThe Johnson County Sheriff's Office used this 2004 Harley Davidson FLHPI Road King Police Motorcycle. 
People/Community
2018.045.002white-haven-cupCupThis cup has the White Haven Motor Lodge logo on the front.
People/Community, Economy
2019.018.001 a-emac-computerPersonal ComputerIn 1999, Apple released the iconic iMac G3, an all-in-one personal computer. The computer was designed to accommodate all at-home computer needs. This particular model was used by Mary Kay Ingenthron in her home office in Shawnee.
People/Community, Economy
2019.019.001mamePaintingIn 1970, Theatre in the Park put on its first production, Mame, at Antioch Park. This painting, of Dodie Brown, the lead actress, was painted by Steve Meriwether, a student at Shawnee Mission West High School, in 1969.
People/Community
2019.031.002trophyTrophyJohn A. Wiedeman (1926-2015) won the Moyer Trophy for Miniature Roses in the 1990s. He grew roses as a hobby, and was president of the Northeast Johnson County Rose Society in 1999. 
People/Community, Suburban Image
2020.001.019 a-bbliss-cartoonCartoonOriginally built in 1953 by the Kansas City Power and Light Company, the All-Electric House is located in the Museum's signature exhibit, "Becoming Johnson County." This Bob Bliss cartoon depicts the All-Electric House's move in 2016 to the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Bliss was a cartoonist for The Johnson County Sun newspaper. He donated several of his original cartoons to the Museum.
People/Community
2020.003.001embroidered-dressDressThis doll dress was brought from Mexico in 1976 by the donor as a young girl immigrating to the United States with her family. Due to limited packing space, she was only able to bring this dress and had to leave her doll behind.
People/Community
2020.023.010boot-blockPrinting BlockThis printing block advertised the G.C. Blucher Boot Company of Olathe. The company was founded in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1915, and moved to Olathe in 1918 or 1919, and opened across the street from the Hyer Boot Company. Blucher Boot Company closed in 1969.
People/Community, Economy
2021.011.001courthouse.light.2Electric LampThis Art Deco style light fixture is from the 1952 Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe. The building was demolished between 2019 and 2020, and a new courthouse constructed.
People/Community, Suburban Image
2021.031.001 a-bcookie-jarCookie JarThis cookie jar was created by Jeanne Savage of Overland Park in a ceramics class.
People/Community, Suburban Image
Call #978.1ks-booksBookKansas: A Cyclopedia of State History was published as a two-volume set in 1912. It was edited by Frank Blackmar, who worked at the University of Kansas for forty years. The set is in the Museum's reference collection today.
People/Community