Kansas City Museum of Regional History

Kansas City, Missouri

The challenge was to convert a large residential space into a museum experience that captured the essence of Kansas City’s rise as the nation’s agribusiness center. By using a multi-sensory, interactive approach we were able to create intense experiences for the visitor, transcending the typical case and label style so prevalent in history exhibits.

“Osage Indians” was presented in the context of the woodlands and the plains, emphasizing their seasonal migrations. “Rivers, Lands and Explorers” put visitors on board a flatboat plying the Missouri River. “Trappers” lets visitors climb into a pirogue and shows them how to load a rifle.

Each exhibit evoked a sense of time and place. “Traders” provided an opportunity to handle fur pelts, sniff homemade whiskey, flip through an account book and play the role of a trader.

“Centropolis”, an entertaining multimedia show, introduced visitors to the major themes of the exhibits.

“Frontier Town 1860” offered several interactive and demonstration events, all in the context of the architectural style of the period. Sound, light effects and encouragement of physical participation were utilized to draw visitors into the story.

Designed in collaboration with Exhibit Department staff