by Kathy Hanis
Volunteers began decorating the Strawberry Hill Museum for the holidays on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The Strawberry Hill Ethnic Museum and Cultural Center displays the traditions of yesteryear and preserves the ethnic cultures of the surrounding areas.
The Museum and Ethnic Cultural Center, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., will open for the 2014 holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 22, and run through Sunday, Jan. 26. It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
The Christmas holiday season is celebrated in an 1887 High Victorian mansion built for John B. Scroggs, a prominent attorney in Wyandotte County, and his wife Margaret Cruise-Scroggs. In 1919, the mansion became the St. John Orphanage and in 1988 the mansion-orphanage became The Strawberry Hill Ethnic Cultural Society museum.
Christmas exhibits – The Christmas exhibits feature nationalities from Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovenia, The Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, African-American, Belgium, Denmark, Mexico and Hungary. Share in the traditions of yesteryear that continue with families of today.
Gift shop and tea room – The tea room is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and will feature a variety of desserts from the various countries represented at the museum. The gift shop is open during museum hours, with items from around the world.
Night time Christmas tours – The museum will be illuminated using Victorian oil lamps and Christmas lighting throughout the tour. The tours are set for 6 p.m. Friday evenings, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19. Reservations must be made in advance. The cost is $15, which includes refreshments and dessert served after each tour. Call 913-371-3264 to make a reservation.
St. Nicholas visit – On Saturday, Dec. 6, St. Nicholas will make a visit to the museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and cookies and milk will be served with a gift for the children. A photo with St. Nicholas can be purchased for $5.
Holiday parties -The Strawberry Hill Museum is booking Christmas parties, family gatherings, and group tours of 20 or more during the week. The cost for a tour is $7 adults, $3 for children 6-12 and children ages 5 and under are free. Call Cathy Kolenda-Smith at 913-721-0081 or the mMuseum at 913-371-3264 to make a reservation. Visit the museum on the web at www.strawberryhillmuseum.org.
This year, the museum is raising funds for preservation of the building. Because of the pollution from exhaust fumes from I-70, just a block from the museum, the exterior stone of the 89-year-old structure has become porous, causing the inside of the building walls to absorb water. In effect, the inside walls are crumbling.
The museum will be undertaking a project to seal the masonry on the exterior of the entire three floors of this addition, which is a major capital expense. Donations are welcome toward this project.
My maiden name is Susan E Scroggs. I live in Michigan and have discovered this wonderful gem of Scroggs family history this evening! Thank you for working hard to keep this lovely museum preserved, decorated and running! How I’d love to visit one day! Have a blessed Christmas season!