AT BEN FERREL MUSEUM IN PLATTE CITY
Where can you learn about a veteran from the Battle of Yorktown who moved to this area, see an authentic reproduction of Gen. George Washington’s uniform along with several period flintlock muskets and play some Colonial-era games?
The answer is at the Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum with its exhibit “Revolutionary War Era, RIGHT HERE!” which runs from May 1 through September.
Additionally, the museum in the next several weeks will launch a second concurrent exhibit on historic woven coverlets.
A spokesperson for the historical society which owns and operates the museum explains: “We wanted to honor the 250th birthday of our nation by showing how its story relates to local history. Children also can try their hand at some activities or discover fun facts, even hold a magnifying glass to the type of insect that was crushed to make the red dye used in the ‘red coats’ of British officers’ in the 1700s.”
One of the featured items in the “Revolutionary War Era, RIGHT HERE!” is a peace pipe tomahawk given to a boy who was taken captive by Native Americans in Kentucky in the 1780s and who later moved to Platte County.
Lisa Wittmeyer, museum curator, explains that this artifact has been a treasured part of the museum’s collection for years, a gift from the late Francis Hoy Hornbuckle.
“We knew the basic story but after some historical sleuthing we now can share what tribe gifted the pipe and the circumstances around this. This artifact is a symbol of the conflict and friendships that occurred between settlers and Native Americans, and its story overlaps with what was happening in the frontier theater of the American War for Independence.”
The historical society has planned several May events connected to this exhibit.
On Saturday, May 16 from 9-11 a.m., the museum will host a kickoff for its participation in the Kansas City Passport to Adventure program sponsored by the Interpretive Site Coalition which is made up of nature centers and historic sites throughout the region. At this event, children will receive a passport booklet that they can take to other participating sites.
On Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church on Third Street in Platte City, the historical society will host a presentation on “George Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion” by Dr. Richard Faulkner. This event is free with refreshments that include whiskey cake and whiskey ice cream.
For more information or to schedule a group tour of the museum (times available throughout the week and served with sips of teas known to have been popular in early America), call (816) 431-5121.
The museum is located at Third and Ferrel Street in Platte City and is open Thursdays and Fridays 1-4 p.m. and additional times for special events.
