Johnson County Museum
Becoming Johnson County
OVER 12,500 SQUARE FEET OF DISCOVERY
What does it take to tell the story of a region? At the Becoming Johnson County exhibit, it takes immersive environments, hands-on experiences, and a bold approach to history. Spanning more than 12,500 square feet, this museum dives deep into the events, industries, and individuals that helped shape this Kansas community—from its pre-Civil War roots to its suburban rise. We partnered with the museum team to engineer cost-effective solutions and fabricate experiences that make the past impossible to ignore—and impactful for the future.
SERVICES:
– Project management
– Elevation drawings
– Illustration
– Interactive development
– Graphic production
– Fabrication
– Installation
STEPPING INTO THE STORY
A dramatic first impression sets the tone, with oversized wall graphics and backlit signage creating an immediate visual impact. At the heart of the exhibit, a full-scale all-electric home invites visitors into a mid-century lifestyle while a recreated train and bridge—built with layered substrates and specialty finishes—capture the scale and texture of a bygone era. Together, these spaces ground the experience and make history feel tangible and real.
REBUILDING A LOCAL ICON
One of Johnson County’s most recognizable historic landmarks was its impressive water tower—a symbol of growth, industry, and local pride. To honor its legacy, we recreated the structure by hand, carefully modeling its shape and scale to match the original. Standing 15-feet tall within the exhibit, the replica serves as both a visual anchor and a nostalgic touchpoint.
KIDSCAPE: WHERE IMAGINATION TAKES THE WHEEL
Kids don’t just visit the museum—they feel like they run it. The Kidscape space recreates familiar community settings with playful, immersive twists. A custom-built trolley and ticketing station give young guests the chance to role-play in a transit system of their own making. Nearby, a rotating puppet theater transforms with the turn of a wheel, shifting from majestic landscapes to fairy-tale scenes—encouraging kids to create stories as vivid as their imaginations.
ANGEL BUGGIES: A DANGEROUS YET VITAL JOB
World War II demanded the help of everyone—even children. One unforgettable interactive highlights this truth. Visitors carefully push an “angel buggy”—a cart once used to transport volatile materials—down a narrow track. Audio narration explains the steps involved. And if the buggy veers off course, a dramatic explosion sound serves as a reminder: Back then, carelessness could be deadly. This exhibit makes history hit home.
TYPEWRITER CHALLENGE: OLD TECH, NEW SKILLS
Long before smartphones, speed and accuracy meant mastering a manual typewriter. Our interactive typewriter station invites guests to race against the clock and compete for the highest score. For older generations, it’s a nostalgic throwback. For kids, it’s an eye-opening challenge.
THE MEMORY WALL: HISTORY STILL IN THE MAKING
A custom memory wall near the exhibit’s conclusion invites visitors to reflect on their own experiences in Johnson County. Through digital entries or written notes, guests can share personal milestones, moments of change, or dreams for the future—helping the community’s evolving story continue to grow.