Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site in Shawnee

Very interesting!

Though closed, the wooden house is really nice.

This was a very informative little museum! The gal at the front desk was very nice and helpful and there was a lot of great information in the museum. If you want to do some walking in a nice day there is a lot to see if you walk around the grounds. It was definitely worth going to see.

Shawnee Indian Mission Manual Labor SchoolHouse Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United StatesHISTORIC HEARING IN WASHINGTON D.C.“The stories of human suffering at these institutions can no longer be hidden…”On May 12, Chief Barnes testified before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States in support of H.R. 5444, “The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the U.S. Act.”This legislation would establish a federal commission to locate and make available the records from Indian boarding schools that operated in the U.S. Native American children were treated harshly at these schools which sought to “civilize” Native Americans by eliminating their culture and heritage. The Shawnee Indian Manual Labor Boarding School in Fairway, Kansas was one of over 400 such schools.Testimony was also provided by survivors who personally experienced boarding schools and leaders of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition in support of a national strategy to increase public awareness and cultivate healing for the profound trauma experienced by Native American individuals, families, and communities.“It really sank in today that I’m the only federally recognized tribal leader that’s gonna be speaking today,” said Chief Barnes on his way to the hearing. “My daughter reminded me that there’s other tribes that need this story told—that need their truth told. That’s really the importance of this bill. It’s just the starting point.”“182 years they’ve not let us talk about it,” he continued. “I’m tired of being told what not to talk about.”Shawnee Tribe urges citizens and others to support this bill to establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools in the U.S. Find your Representative, State Senators, as well as Congress members.

Should be part of a grade school curriculum. Good information, presented in an engaging way, knowledgeable staff.

Fascinating place. A lot of history.

There is a substantial amount of history in this location. Tour mostly self guided with story boards and interactive displays available.

The curator of the museum was excellent.

Great history about the mission and the site administrator is very passionate about telling the story

This is a increadably important historical site. I plan to return and learn more of the history of our nation and Americas indigenous peoples that lived in, thrived in yet, only to eventually be removed from the the bountiful Ohio River Valley. History continues to repeat itself.

The past 2 years you guys have not had your fall festival because of covid. All the other festivals are up and running and their hasnt been no problems with covid.I have a friend who was wanting to come to the fall festival this year.She is from Algeria. She has never been. She just became a US citizen. She wanted her daughter to see the Tepees and the Indian dancers. Hopefully you guys will have it next year.Her daughter wanted to hear the stories while sitting around the fire in the Tpee.

No placards to describe the outer buildings. They said Wednesdays were usually their busiest day but nobody else was around. Didnt go inside but youd think theyd have a bit more info about the out buildings.

Informative and sensitive museum about the assimilation boarding school where Native American children were disciplined into accepting colonizer culture. Lots of great informational boards and many artifacts. I wished there were more explanations about how each room was used. Definitely a good museum to learn more about both local history and the tragedy of assimilation schools.

Interesting and full of unknown facts about the local area and history.

For history bluffs a must. Amazing stories of those early settlers, Johnson, and the Indians who were the object of the Mission. Well worth your time.

Really nice place to visit

It was Sunday and it was closed but we walked along the paths. Looked at all the plants and buildings. Saw mallard ducks, chipmunks 🐿 and rabbits everywhere. Creek runs right thru the property. Really beautiful and well maintained.

Cool place besides the Native American forced education

I enjoy taking my dog to walk near the creek. It’s very relaxing and calming.

Good historical site. Site does need current care and maintenance, falling a bit behind.

I went here on field trips as a kid. World of memories here from past experiences. New memories were made.

Evergreen; trees, runners, baskets decorated with holiday berries etc. This is as great place to pick up festive gifts from the shawnee indian mission.

I went to the Indian Festival, which happens in October. It was very low key and family oriented, I enjoyed it a lot!

Excellent historical restoration, with useful artifacts and signage. The tour began with one of the best summary historical videos we have seen--definitely worth the extra ten or fifteen minutes to watch.

Cool historical site & family park. We visited for the annual event & had a great time!

I was there for an private event outdoors. Its a good place for a small gathering.

2nd weekend of october👍

Great place to learn about the history of our area. I know they have a period cabin that you can explore and period festivals every now and then. I dont even have spece to talk about the main buildings. Worth a visit every time.

Perfect place for quick stop or to get ornamental evergreen for house in the winter

Dont miss the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site! A great trip for my whole family with interesting history and fun for every age. My kids thought they would be bored but they were anything but.. A must see while in the area. This is really interesting about the history of the mission and the Methodist minister who founded it. The buildings are almost eerily empty when a festival isnt going on. It is historical and worth seeing. More information on the history of the times and exhibits would be worthwhile. Everyone was friendly and helpful.

While this appears to be a delightful place with peaceful and harmony filled groves of trees, Ive never been here. I was driving down and around mission eating some delicious mexican food and this popped up. I really like queso with my street tacos but this time I was going to try out something new: Pezole, a traditional mexican soup with pork and hominey... Ive heard its quite good and cant wait to try some. Um, and go to this cute park.

Jennifer is the most kindest and sweetest person. It was a pleasure to work with while filming my husband project, A Ridiculous Notion.

This place is idyllic. Its nestled in a sweet, treed neighborhood. It is instantly peaceful. The grounds herald the call to use native plants. This is great place to wander, meditate or have a lovely picnic. Great for kids and families.

Went for a tea party. Staff was very friendly; taught the girls about living in a small cabin, traveling on the trail, making crafts, and even let the girls dress up in pioneer clothes.

Did anyone learn some history here per the Union vs Confederacy comments?The Mission was a Shawnee Methodist mission run by Rev Johnson with his alliance with Chief Parks. Parks was a slave owner and Johnson was a ragingpro slavery slave owning preacher.The Shawnee Methodists were a specific band of progressives adopting white ways and in general taking advantage of their more traditional tribal brothers, for example the Black Bob band.No worries, the Shawnee Methodists will in turn get screwed by Johnson who taxes all Shawnee tribal allotments into bankruptcy.See Black Bob and Blue Jacket streets, the Chief Blue Jacket fountain and the Shawnee burial ground in Shawnee.See they have these things called books.Civil War on the Western Border - MonaghanThe Shawnees and their Neighbors -Warren

This annual event has good local food. I love the Indian fry bread taco. There is local arts and crafts and musical performers and the Missouri Trappers encampments.

My experience here may not be typical of an average visit.There is a main building which houses a museum and gives tours of the historic Indian mission.In my visit, I was on staff with our scouting Districts annual Cub Scout Day Camp, which lasted a week at the Indian mission.We used the larger part of their property mostly on the North side of the street from the museum Part.There are actually many structures on property that are part of the mission, and it is a beautiful property that I would call a park that is located adjacent to Bishop Miege High School and St Agnes Catholic Church.The area is well shaded yet visible and great for short hikes and walking the dog (following the signs providedin beautiful Fairway, Kansas.This is one of the most historical locations in Johnson County Kansas which helps to explain the early development of territorial Kansas, the naming of the county, and the policies that white settlers had with Native Americans.The museum does a good job of describing life both as a settler and Native American during the different ages of the early 1800s to present day.

Great festivals and one of the best public spaces in KC. Very family friendly but also a great place for young professionals.

This historic site is a wonderful and interactive resource for learning about the history of indigenous people and what happened in their lives.

What they have is cool, the video good,but they could add more displays and info

Native American and emigrant history. Museum has great display. Staffs are very friendly.

There is a 20 minute film to watch that is very informative about the history. The display exhibits are limited to one of the three buildings. Display is fairly basic, some nice artifacts for kids to look at as well as a space for coloring.

Interesting history. Good place to walk your dog, its not a real big area but it has an interesting history.

Very interesting place! We visited to have professional photos taken.

Nov 21, 2017 Edit: Through conversation with the staff, Ive learned that there is some balanced attention given to union soldiers as well as confederates. However, most of my original points below still stand. The place does not give much respect to the kids the school was built for, in comparison against the information about the civil war._______The place doesnt have alot of open information about the children that lived here, or their families and culture. It heavily glorifies the pro slavery Johnson and the Confederates who bunked there. Instead of recreating the rooms were the children slept, played, were taught, ate, and possibly kept in touch with their families (no evidence is shown either waythe museum features a room devoted to the Confederates who stayed there.The reasons as to the schools disbanding are kept vague, emphasis is put instead on how much of a loss it was for Johnson. No mention is made about what this meant for the children, where they went, or what happened to them.I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone with a sincere interest in history. It favors a side steeped in racism, insidious hate, and pro slavery. And it ignores the children who most likely had to face a tough life being forced from their culture and made to feel inferior.

I visited this beautiful historic site today, with my husband. Shawnee Indian Mission, was well kept, the volunteers, and the woman who worked there, were very informative.So, before I started typing this review, I read some of the other reviews. Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion, that you really cannot write a review of a history museum, if you do not know your history. The person who reviewed this museum, claimed the museum had confederate war items....the museum had nothing like that. I read every form of information that was on display here. I was shocked to even had read that review. Johnson, was Union. The whole town was Union, the museum had Union Attire. They had nothing confederate in the museum. Maybe, the person who reviewed this meseum, did not even visit the museum? Maybe, they don’t know history? The museum was far from what the reviewer posted. We go to museums’ to educate ourselves, and to learn from the past.We all should support our history. I am glad they had Native American, items here and had beautiful displays of their culture. The museum was mostly veered towards the life of Native Americans, when they stayed there. It was very refreshing!

Wonderful location with lots of history, would be nice if they were open more.

Great historical location and a great fall festival in the beginning of October

Great experience to tour the beautiful 11 acres and visitthe Museum to learn about the Founder, Rev. Johnson andhis building a Mission for pioneers to stock up on suppliesbefore making the trip on the Santa Fe Trail .

Nestled in the middle of residential neighborhoods, these historic buildings give a unique look into the areas past. The staff was also very nice. A tour of several rooms filled with artifacts is $5, which includes a video presentation.