Visiting Abilene's Historic Seelye Mansion with Lisa Waterman Gray

It was an accidental meeting. While nursing my daily café latté at

 Lenexa's finest coffee house, I heard bits of pieces of a nearby conversation and surmised they were discussing Kansas and photography. Upon introducing myself, I learned that one of the folks was Lisa Waterman Gray, a name which I recognized, but could not remember why.  I later learned that Lisa is a much-published free lance writer whose credits include articles for Midwest Living; AAA's Midwest, Southern, and New Mexico Travel magazines; Kansas City Star; Christian Science Monitor; Delta Sky; KANSAS! Magazine, and numerous other magazines and journals. 

Lisa has recently published a guidebook for travelers, Explorer's Guide Kansas, as well as authoring a blog: Crossing Kansas.

I was recently honored by a request to do a "guest spot" on Crossing Kansas, and now have the privilege of returning that favor to Ms. Waterman Gray. I am pleased that she chose to share her views and photos of the historic Seelye Mansion in Abilene. I have driven by on several occasions, but never toured this majestic old home, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture.

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I pulled into the driveway of the graceful Historic Seelye Mansion, in Abilene, on a cool fall morning. Set against a cobalt sky and a wide expanse of emerald lawn and manicured gardens, the 1905 Georgian-style mansion combined a natural stone foundation with massive columns and expansive porches.

Tiffany Fireplace - Seelye Mansion

I entered through the back door, just across from the building that served as Dr. A.B. Seelye's workshop, and home to more than 100 medical and other products that were distributed across 14 states. But my tour began in the beautifully appointed and spacious living room where stunning Tiffany-designed mosaic decorated the fireplace face and Edison lights illuminated the space.

Curved wall with window, Seelye Mansion

Much of the décor in this lovely 11,000-square-foot home came from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Delicate lace curtains flanked a high leaded glass window that followed the subtly curved wall and low radiator. A stunning gold side table stood atop a richly hued Oriental rug.

Elegant table service, Seelye Mansion

Crystal and gold bowls, and sterling candlesticks decorated a long table in the elegant dining room while a pair of antique dolls stood on the single side table in this bright and airy bedroom shared by Dr. Seelye's daughters.

Daughters' bedroom, Seelye Mansion

The upstairs ballroom astounded me with its beautifully maintained, highly polished floor and arched ceiling. Modest bedrooms encircled the space, which Mrs. Seelye frequently offered as a weekend sanctuary for soldiers who were stationed at the nearby Fort Riley.

Upstairs ballroom, Seelye Mansion

Twenty-five rooms, original furnishings and a very devoted owner/caretaker - Terry Tietjens - introduce visitors to one of the finest homes built between Kansas City and Denver, during the early 1900s.

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LINKS - LISA WATERMAN GRAY

Crossing Kansas Blog: http://crossingkansas.blogspot.com/

Lisa Waterman Gray - The Storyteller: www.thestorytellerkc.net/
Email: thestoryteller@everestkc.net

LINKS - SEELYE MANSION

Seelye Mansion Site: www.seelyemansion.org/

Abilene Tourism Site: www.abilenecityhall.com/ 

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Overland Park

Our granddaughters love the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Nancy and I enjoy it as well. That means we have a fun, no-fail day's activity within a short drive whenever there is an opportunity to spend some with the kiddies. Neither Nancy nor I have any family left who are still involved in farming, so the Deanna Rose is the closest we can get to teaching our little ones about life away from the suburbs.

There are a number of attractions in Overland Park, but in this writer's opinion, nothing tops the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Judging by the attendance, even on its last day of the season when these photos were taken, there are lots of folks who agree with me. For out of town visitors, especially those with youngsters, or grandparents in town for a visit, the farmstead is a great place to let the little ones run around and play in an educational environment.

The 12-acre city-owned farmstead was first opened in 1978. In 1985, it was re-named to honor Deanna Rose, the first Overland Park police officer killed in the line of duty. Recent years have witnessed a steady growth in attendance (over 450,000 in 2010) and attractions, and a number of "Coming Soon" signs prove the growth is not going to stop soon.

Dairy Barn

Volunteers are crucial to the existence of the Deanna Rose Farmstead, and the vast number of individuals and corporations involved would seem to disprove any notion that folks in the 'burbs lack community spirit.

Granddaughter Brooklyn said "Moo," the calf responded in kind.

Indian encampment area

A wooded area within the grounds is dedicated to the native tribes who lived in this area prior to the coming of the European settlers. The centerpiece of this exhibit is an authentic re-creation of an earthen lodge in the manner of the Kanza tribe. I spoke for a few moments with the exhibit interpreter, a woman of Huron lineage who was on hand to teach children about the lodge. Based on her own research, she was impressed with the attention to detail and accuracy exhibited in the lodge.

Sydney feeding pygmy goats

Brooklyn tries to copy her sister

Little fire fighter dismounts after his horse ride

Sydney on her Farmall tractor

Conestoga Wagon

General store, ice cream parlor, bank

In the general store

"Live?" entertainment in the general store

Wood stove and checkerboard in the general store

Entry to one of the play areas - a Rotary Club project

Tom

Readying for a hay rack ride

Bald Eagle

Late season fall color

HOURS, ADMISSION, LOCATION
The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is open 9 am to 5 pm April 1 through October 31. During peak summer months it remains open until 8 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There is a $2 admission charge Friday through Sunday (children 1 and under free); and no admission charge Monday - Thursday.

The street address is 13800 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas. From I-35 or US 69, exit at 135th Street (also known as Santa Fe in Olathe).
 

View Larger Map

LINKS:

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead: www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Deanna-Rose-Childrens-Farmstead
Overland Park Tourism: www.visitoverlandpark.com/
Friends of the Farmstead: http://artsandrec-op.org/farmstead/

Maple Leaf Festival, Baldwin

Autumn is a season of festivals throughout the world. For centuries, we have given thanks for the harvest and enjoyed one last celebration before the arrival of winter.

Many communities celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn. One nearby is Baldwin (City), one of Kansas' early settlements. Baldwin is blessed with large and attractive old trees - most notably the maples which annually cloak the city with a bright red tapestry.  The Maple Leaf festival, held annually on the third full weekend of October, has become a major attraction, drawing huge crowds from surrounding counties and from Missouri.

Baldwin's able festival planners have no control over is Mother Nature. Due to recent climate conditions, many of the normally brilliant maple trees were instead a dull, crunchy brown, but even that didn't effect the festival activities or the crowds.

Taking advantage of a beautiful sunny day, my wife Nancy, daughter Allison, and grand-daughters Sydney (almost 5) and Brooklyn (18 months), and I made the short drive west US Highway 56 (following the route of the old Santa Fe Trail) to view the Maple Leaf Festival Parade. From a neighborhood street where we were able to find a parking space, it was a bit of a hike to the parade route, but once the parade started, the grand-kids were transported.

[The parade photos that follow were taken from curb level, and facing the sun. Parade organizers almost always route parades that way for some reason.]

The Color Guard

Kansas National Guard Band

What little boy would not be excited to ride in a firetruck in a parade?

Nostalgia --- a Plymouth Belvedere!

Re-enactors recall early days on the Santa Fe Trail

Thinking Pink for breast cancer awareness - old International Harvester tractor

Young members of The Dazzlers - a Christian troupe for drill team, acrobatics, etc.

Street Rod - a Ford?

A '29 Ford - and a flapper chick

Piccolo picker - Tonganoxie Chieftain Marching Band

Colorful flags of the states - presented by local Knights of Columbus

Is it possible that Dorothy had an adventure in Oz that is not recorded in Frank Baum's book?

Truth in T-shirts! My favorite band t-shirt.

Scrambling for candy!

Missouri Bushwhacker re-enactor terrorizes Douglas County

Sydney and Brooklyn loved the horsies!

Different style of equestrian

Still thinking pink...

Not pictured here are the numerous crafts and gifts booths - a major draw at the Maple Leaf Festival. As at most such events, a variety of crafts are represented, in a wide range of prices and quality.

Food? - of course, lots of the familiar fair food options, provided by local organizations. The longest food lines? - for kettle corn and funnel cakes, of course. I stood in line for quite a while to get bison burger at the American Legion hall, too.

The color of the "necessary facilities" made up for some of the missing red (foliage).

Other events taking place at the festival include a country music tent (free), foot races, a carnival, petting zoo, open houses around town and at some of the historic sites mentioned below.


A Few Words About Baldwin:
For those unfamiliar with Baldwin, it is a community steeped in history, located south of Lawrence and west of Olathe on the route of the Santa Fe Trail. It is home to Kansas' oldest college, Baker University, which houses several interesting old buildings (including stately old Parmenter Hall shown below) plus the Quayle Rare Bible Collection. Of considerable historic interest is the Black Jack Battlefield, site of the Civil War's first battle (1856) between organized militia representing northern and southern interests. Nearby is a small section of tall grass prairie where visitors can walk among the swales (super-sized ruts) created by the heavy weight of oxen and freight wagons over the Santa Fe Trail.

Long-time readers of my blog may remember my 2009 blog entry about riding the rails on the Midland Railway. That, too, is located at Baldwin, just another of the many reasons to visit this charming little town.