Friends of the Johnson County Museum

The Friends of the Johnson County Museum actively work with The Parks & Recreation Foundation of Johnson County to secure the necessary resources to provide the highest quality museum experiences. Support the Friends Opens in new window

Friends Projects

KidScape Trolley

The Friends of the Johnson County Museum supported the first major update to the KidScape play area since the Museum re-opened in the Arts & Heritage Center.

The Trolley is a unique addition to KidScape, the Museum's fully-immersive, interactive history experience where kids have fun travelling through time to different periods and communities from the region's past. The design is based on the first car on the historic Strang Line, a commuter railroad that ran between Johnson County and Kansas City. 

The Friends are thrilled to honor this important part of Johnson County's history, and we can't wait to see how our young museum guests enjoy their imaginative playtime selling tickets, loading up luggage, driving the trolley and more! 

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Museum Collection Acquisitions


REDLINED Artwork
The Friends of the Johnson County Museum purchased two pieces of art displayed in the special "REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation" exhibit.  These pieces, created by artists in the African American Artist Collective, reflect and institutional priority to continue tell the hard history of redlining. 

REDLINED AAAC

Lowrider Bike
The newest addition to the Museum’s collection is a lowrider bike created by local high school students. Showcasing the incredible creativity of local high school students from the Olathe Leadership Lowrider Bike Club, this lowrider bike was the culmination of years of work to capture the essence of the club that started in Olathe and now has branches throughout the United States. This bike, which was made specifically for the museum with support from the Friends of the Johnson County Museum, is not only a testament to the club members’ dedication and craftsmanship, but also a representation of lowrider culture.


Lowrider Bike (cropped)


Museum Member Events

The Friends of the Johnson County Museum provide support for member engagement activities. On August 31st we held our inaugural Museum Member Mixer. Attendees experienced the past coming alive in a unique and unforgettable way as Kansas City's own bluegrass band, The Matchsellers, took them on a musical journey through the Museum gallery. Museum Member Mixers are exclusive gatherings designed to foster a sense of community among Museum members. These intimate and engaging events provide an opportunity for our members socialize and enjoy access to the Johnson County Museum in new and exciting ways.

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Photo booth group
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Friends of the Johnson County Museum 2023

Lonita Cook
President, Executive Committee
The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County Liaison 		Jama Akers
Vice President, Executive Committee
Jerry Baird
Sustainers Task Force
Larry Meeker
Sustainers Task Force
Chris Carey, Ph.D.
Secretary, Executive Committee; Chair, Development Committee 
Mary D. Padilla
Special Events Committee
Kathleen Chirpich
Special Events Committee
Connor Stangler
Development Committee
Tracey Flexter George
Development Committee
The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County Liaison 
Jennifer Vitela
Chair, Special Events Committee
 Brodie W. Herrman
 Development Committee
Julie Hickman
Museum Advisory Council Representative
Tom McCabe
 Sustainers Task Force
Nancy Wallerstein
Museum Advisory Council Representative; Sustainers Task Force