Arabia Steamboat Museum

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Description

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a unique Kansas City attraction: a time capsule of life on the American Frontier in the mid-nineteenth century. It is not your typical museum. visitors have the one of a kind opportunity to experience the everyday objects that made life possible for pioneers in the 1800s.
In September 1856, the Arabia was carrying over 200 tons of cargo intended for general stores and homes in 16 mid western frontier towns. The steamer was still fully loaded when it hit a tree snag and sank just 6 miles west of Kansas City. Due to erosion, the Missouri river changed course over time, and the Arabia was buried underground for over a century - along with all of its precious cargo. Lying 45 feet deep beneath a Kansas cornfield, the Arabia's payload was protected from light and oxygen and was thus remarkably well preserved.
From fine China to carpentry tools to children's toys to the world's oldest pickles - the Arabia's artifacts captivate visitors of all ages.
Preservation continues to clean 60 more tons of artifacts in a preservation lab that's available for visitors to watch. More artifacts are added to the displays on an ongoing basis.

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Arabia Steamboat Museum Items