THE JOHNSON COUNTY MUSEUM IS OPENING FOR APPOINTMENTS JUNE 1st!

Dear Members & Friends,

We wanted to take time to update you on our reopening plans, special offerings for members only, and the new things we have in store for you. But first, let us share publicly what we have been thinking every day for these past few months – WE MISS YOU!

Thank you for standing by us in these challenging times. Every phone call, note, interaction on social media, and membership renewal you’ve shared has reminded us why we do what we do. It’s for you. We cannot wait to welcome you back to the Johnson County Museum and get back to making history with you all!

The museum staff, along with JCPRD leadership, has worked on a phased reopening plan for the museum and the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. We have been in communication with local and state government and health officials to ensure that our plan does its absolute best to promote safety when you return to the building. Below are the key parts of the first phase of our reopening plans.

Reopening Plans Overview

The Johnson County Museum will be reopening for pre-registered experiences in the museum and KidScape on Monday, June 1 ^st. Our online registration portal will open on May 26 ^th . The registration portal will include offerings for the next two weeks. New offerings will be added regularly, so check back often!

Your experience will look different than what you are used to. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you can expect:

What Will Be Offered When You Reopen June 1st?

Guided Museum Experiences

Beginning June 1 (member-only preview May 29th)

1.5 hours

Advance registration required

Make an appointment to come enjoy the museum with us! Guests will be treated to a 30-minute guided tour of our signature exhibition, Becoming Johnson County , 30 minutes to explore the museum on their own, and 30 minutes to view our newest exhibit, Rising to the Challenge: Suburban Strength in Difficult Times . This unique exhibit was created in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and features stories of sacrifice, adaptation and innovation, awareness and preparation, resilience and strength, and reflection and remembrance from Johnson County's history. 

KidScape

Beginning June 1 (member-only preview May 29th)

1.5 hours

Advance registration required

We couldn’t open without something for the kids! We are thrilled to offer pre-booked, limited experiences. Bring your little ones and let them try different jobs and eras in history in our little Johnson County village. 1.5 hour sessions will be available at 9, 11, 1, and 3. Group sizes will be limited to 15 people.

When you arrive, you may notice things look a bit different. Visitors and staff will be asked to sanitize their hand before entering KidScape and when leaving the area. Visitors and guests will also be encouraged to wear masks and to physically distance. A member of our staff will be in KidScape during your visit to ensure cleanliness and address any concerns. After each 1.5 hours of playtime in KidScape, our staff will rotate used items to our sanitizing area and bring in new items for the next group.  

Lanesfield Historic Site Escape Room

Beginning June 6

By appointment

Looking for a unique experience to do with a small group of family or friends? We are offering our escape room, Scandal in the Schoolhouse, by appointment. Perfect for groups of 4-6 people who love to solve a good mystery. Call our reservation line at 913-715-2570 or email us at [email protected] to book your experience. 

How Do I Register to Visit?

Having trouble? Call our reservation line at 913-715-2570.

Member Benefits

In addition to recurring membership benefits like free admission to the museum and discounts in the gift store and for museum programs, we’re offering the following to you, our valued friends.

Members Only Museum Reopening Sneak Peak, Friday, May 29

Members will get exclusive access to the museum for our soft re-opening on Friday, May 29 ^th. Registration for the Member Sneak Peak is open now. Book your museum tour or KidScape experience online today. Hurry. Capacity is extremely limited. Pre-registration required.

Members Only KidScape Sessions

We know our youngest members love KidScape, so we’re reserving the first session every day especially for members. Register online and make plans to join us for 1.5 hours of fun at 9:00am. (Members are welcome at the 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm sessions, too!)

 

Membership Extension!

As a thank you for your continued support and friendship, we are offering a three-month extension on all museum memberships.

Protocols to Combat the Spread of COVID-19

The Johnson County Museum and the entire Arts & Heritage Center have increased the frequency of our cleaning, installed hand sanitizing stations, and have touch-free waste containers. Bathrooms and high-touch surfaces will be cleaned throughout the day, and you will note the presence of plexiglass barriers at the AHC front desk. We encourage all visitors to wear facemasks, wash their hands frequently, and maintain physical distancing while in the facility. Museum staff will also be encouraged to wear facemasks while working with the public. If you have hearing impairment or would like to request other accommodations, please let us know when you book your tour appointment.

What if I'm not ready to visit yet?

We understand. We’ve been hard at work creating digital content including virtual tours, digital exhibits, and more. Visit jocomuseum.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more ways to enjoy the Johnson County Museum!

What's Next?

As we move through the phases of the State of Kansas’ Ad Astra Reopening Plan and continue to follow guidance from Johnson County officials, we will continue to expand our offerings, including the return of our popular week-long museum camps! Camps are tentatively scheduled to resume on June 15 ^th. Stay tuned for more information about that and other changes in our phased opening plan.

 

Thank you for standing by us in these challenging times. Your support matters now, more than ever.

Become a Museum Member!

Enjoy FREE admission all year long when you become a member!

PURCHASE or RENEW your membership TODAY!

Membership Prices

Individual/Couple Membership - $35

Family Membership (includes up to 6 people per visit) - $60

Group Membership (includes up to 12 people per visit) - $90

Benefits of Membership

*Images by Bob Greenspan Photography