This lovingly restored ship is a treasure trove of 19th-century artefacts from the pre-Civil War Midwest.
Hidden under a cornfield for more than 130 years, the Arabia steamboat was rediscovered in the late 1980s and is now on display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. This delightful museum is the result of years of painstaking restoration work and provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Midwest prior to the American Civil War.
The Arabia, a working cargo ship, was travelling down the Missouri-Kansas River in 1856 when it hit a snag and sunk. The ship was carrying an array of items for trade and many personal belongings when it went down, and these have been carefully restored for display in the museum. Admire early 19th century china, pottery and cutlery and some great examples of clothing from the period.
In order to give visitors an immersive experience, the museum has recreated the Arabia's layout and design. Check out the original boilers, engine and stern and admire the huge paddlewheels as you stroll along the reproduction deck. You can even see the part of the tree that actually sunk this great vessel.
A significant number of the exhibits are dedicated to the extraordinary recovery efforts undertaken. Watch a short film about the Arabia's rediscovery and find out more about the recovery process via the museum's multimedia exhibits. Then head to the lab to see where the fragile artefacts found on the Arabia were cleaned and restored by a team of experts.
You'll find the Arabia Steamboat Museum on the south bank of the Missouri River in Kansas City's River Market district. Admission includes a guided tour, which lasts 90 minutes. The museum is well serviced by buses and provides free parking. It is open every day except Sundays.
