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"I knew it was a fine country..."
Olathe Heritage Center and Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, Olathe, Kansas

Project Overview:Mahaffie
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.

Mahaffie

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.

 

 

 

Project Date: 2007-2008
Exhibition Size: 1400 sq .ft.
traub design associates team:
  • Don Traub, Principal Designer
  • Nicholas Traub Photography & Design, LLC
  • The Magic Lantern, Pittsburgh, PA, introductory film
  • Exhibit Associates, Inc., Exhibit Fabrication
services rendered & Deliverables:
  • Project Management
  • Exhibit Planning & Programming
  • Preliminary and Final Exhibit Design
  • Budget creation and management
  • Installation of artifacts, labels, graphics, multimedia,
    lighting and artifact mounts.