SHAWNEE, Kan. — Do you remember what Christmas was like as a kid? For one more week you can go back in time at Kansas City’s All-Electric House in Shawnee, Kansas. There you’ll be transported to Christmas in the 1950’s!
The house is located at the Johnson County Museum. Amanda Gunderman, who gives tours year round, said it’s a home that hasn’t changed much since the 1950’s.
“You come in and it smells like 1954 or you even have people that say aww it smells like my grandma’s house or you just get that nostalgia and everybody just has a great time everybody’s always smiling and has stories of their own,” she said.
At Christmas the All-Electric House goes all out. It’s adorned with an aluminum Christmas tree and beneath it are the 1950’s hottest gifts. From the Christmas china and stockings to the secret television hidden behind a painting, Gunderman said the home is an authentic walk back in time.
“Kansas City Power and Light actually built this as a model home so in 1954 they were putting things in the house most families didn’t have,” she said. “It was just that house to where anything could happen, so houses were originally going for 12 to 15,000 and this one was going for mid-40s.”
Andy Hicks toured the home with his family Saturday. He said it made him feel nostalgic.
“A lot of memories, I mean just the colors, the bathroom and kitchen, even the furniture, I grew up in the 50’s, a lot of memories,” he said.
The All-Electric House is open year round, but only decorated for the holidays through Saturday, January 3rd. The house is open Monday through Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., but extended holiday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Group tours are available Monday through Friday mornings by advance reservation. Call 913-715-2570. Afternoons cannot be reserved.
The cost is $5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors, $3 for Children five years old to 12 years, and kids under five are free.
The 1950’s All-Electric House is located at the Johnson County Museum at 6305 Lackman Road in Shawnee.
