Friday, October 18, 2019

Friday Smiles 342: The Eisenhower Museum



It's Friday and time once again to join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the ladies at Friday Smiles.  I'm not going to share any funnies today.

Before visiting the museum, but after I left the boyhood home, I found this area where you could sit and enjoy the surroundings, or even eat your lunch. 

How ironic that I had mentioned the Chisholm Trail a few weeks back for T Stands For Tuesday.   Yes, the cow town raised a great president.   In Ike's own words: “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.”

For those of you who missed my T Tuesday post, Abilene rose to fame as a cow town, the end of the Chisholm Trail that brought cattle from Texas to the Kansas Pacific Railway for shipment to eastern markets.  Cattle that sold for $1.00 to $2.00 in Texas could command 20 times that by the time the cattle reached Abilene.


Following the map, you see I parked in the 3rd Street parking lot, then entered the gift shop where everyone gets their ticket.  Then it was off to the boyhood home, which is just below and to the left of the spot where I was at the moment.

This is the side of the museum.

The museum is constructed of Kansas limestone, quarried from Onaga Stone in Onaga, Kansas, a town I had never heard of, even though I have lived in Kansas much of my life.

At first, I thought my camera was playing tricks with the stone, then I realized it was constructed that way.

Even the grounds were beautiful. 

Note the Pylons in the back.  We will see them later.

It was now time to enter the museum. 

This is the plaque you see just before you enter.

Much of what you see here deals with Ike and his service to his country.

This is the sweet lady who stamped my ticket so I could keep it.  She also explained that the museum was divided into five major galleries consisting of an introductory gallery, which is where we were, a changing exhibits gallery, a First Lady's gallery, a military gallery, and a presidential gallery. 

She further explained this was the ONLY area of the museum that had not been renovated.   In case you can't read the sentiment at the bottom it is "Supreme Command."  It shows Ike during the war years.  Although he never fought in battle, he was in charge of all the men and women in the European theater who were under his command.


This mural shows he was in charge of the "Command Operations."


Since I never got a shot full on, I snagged this from the internet.  It appears the words at the bottom were removed during the renovation.  I confess I never saw the murals on the side where I entered.

Next week we will visit the changing exhibits gallery.  Unlike last week, I didin't want to overwhelm you with tons of photos this week. 

Now let's see what others are smiling about this Friday.  Please don't forget to start your weekend off right by visiting Annie for a few Friday Smiles.  We would love to have you join us, too.


16 thoughtful remarks:

Iris Flavia said...

Uhhh, a glass table... nothing for me, I´d accidentially break it! The more careful I try to be... BOOM.
We have plastic plates and "glasses" here, mostly.

Funny how we live(d) in a place and never knew some of the products being produced there!

I don´t think we have a museum for any politician here (not a surprise!).

:-) I like to be overwhelmed by pics! But to divide it into bits sure is better for the brain.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful place and grounds, and love that spot where you could sit and rest or eat. Ike was definitely a president to remember. Thanks for sharing, have a great day, Valerie

Annie said...

What a lovely place. The grounds are really lovely and I love the mural too.
Hugs,
Annie x

Aimeslee Winans said...

Wonderful post, Elizabeth, enjoyed the photos and your front poor decs are cute. xoxo

My name is Erika. said...

I am enjoying visiting the museum. I can't wait to see what is inside the museum. The murals are cool and it is an interesting looking building. I love how it is made from local stone. If it was made here in NH they would have used granite, as that is one of our local stones. Have a super Friday. Hugs-Erika

Lisca said...

I am really enjoying the Eisenhower museum and I can't wait to see the inside. The grounds are truly beautiful and I loved the sheltered picnic area with the glass table. I like glass tables as they are easy to clean and always look good.
The murals are superb! The kind lady said that the mural area was the only part that was not renovated. But on the internet image there is a black front with some text on it, which was removed. So they have done something.
Eisenhower was commander of the Allied Forces and a darn good one. I thing we owe him a lot here in Europe.
I'm looking forward to seeing more next week.
Have a lovely weekend,
Lisca

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth that looks like a nice cosy spot where the table is and would be lovely on a nice day. The murals are wonderful and what a great story they tell. Look forward to the next part. Have a great weekend, Angela xXx

CJ Kennedy said...

The outdoor table looks like a lovely spot to take a break. The museum grounds are beautiful and the murals are impressive.

mamapez5 said...

Wow another busy visit Elizabeth. I have not got time to read it all in detail but I will later on. I like the little lunch-time shelter in the first picture. Hugs Kate x

Meggymay said...

More lovely and interesting photos, the grounds look so well looked after.
The murals looked fantastic, I would have spent ages looking at these as well as the exhibits. t looks like a lovely area to sit and relax, folk must be so careful how they use those glass tables, they show the reflections so well.
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

Never knew about this museum. What beautiful grounds! Tons of murals. You do find the most interesting places to visit. Thanks for sharing. :)

Divers and Sundry said...

What a fascinating place. I know I'd enjoy a tour, and I look forward to more of this virtual visit :) Thanks!

froebelsternchen said...

Just so beautiful Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing!
Happy weekend my freind!
Susi xxx

Jeanie said...

You can't overwhelm me with too many photos from a terrific museum like this. It sounds fascinating and I can't wait to see more.

Mia said...

I always love to see museum photos, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing,my friend. Kisses!

Words and Pictures said...

Some more impressive mural work here, inside rather than out. I do like the colour of that elegant stonework, and the grounds look like a lovely place to go for a wander.
Alison x