Olathe Heritage Center and Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, Olathe, Kansas

Project Overview:
The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm is the last remaining
stagecoach stop along the Santa Fe Trail. The city-owned site operates as a living history farm. In April 2008 a new visitors center allowed the staff to move offices and gift shop out of the historic home and create a museum space devoted to the farm’s storied past.

The 15-month exhibit project combined both original photography and historical photographs with the extensive primary research that was provided by the client. The in-depth research was successfully incorporated through a variety of techniques: primary and secondary labels, rail labels and six flipbooks that were distributed throughout the space. Recreated period posters offer the visitor a quick summary of key events in the life of the Mahaffie family.

Original photography included a 680 sq. ft. photomural of the
Mahaffie stagecoach and passengers, which piques the interest
and invites the visitor to step outside into the past and enjoy
a stagecoach ride to the historic house and farm. A 42-foot
banner integrates the life of the Mahaffies with the local, state
and national events of 1810 – 1910. Over 200 artifacts are
mounted and secured in acrylic cases atop barn-like carpeted
platforms or recreated wooden shipping crates.