Skip to Main Content

Overland Park, Kansas: All-Electric Model House

A house of the future circa 1954: hidden TV, electric curtain openers, and central control panel for "moon glow" lighting. Originally at 4602 Homestead Drive in Prairie Village; moved to its current spot and reopened in June 2017.

Address:
8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS
Directions:
Inside the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. On the southbound side of Metcalf Ave., midway between W. 87th and W. 89th Sts.
Hours:
M-Sa 10-4:30 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
913-826-3012
Admission:
Adults $5.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About All-Electric Model House

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

All electric dining room.

All-Electric Model House Tour

Arrived just in time to miss the last tour. But I did sneak a shot through the back door. Pretty much looks like any house in my mom's neighborhood. Wait. Is that my mom's china? And aren't those her lyre-back chairs? Are those Mom's clean and cleared kitchen surfaces? Definitely not.

If you look close on the photo's left you can see the access to the "hidden" area behind the fireplace where the TV resides. The baseboards have built-in electrical outlets every 3ft.

[Hardy, 06/02/2010]
Electric House tour

From the Johnson County Museum of History web site: "Whether you're a child of the '50s or just curious about lifestyles from this nostalgic era, The 1950s All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum of History offers an eye-opening look at the technology of the times. Futuristic features include: hidden televisions, electric curtain openers, trendy appliances and 'moon glow' lighting. Step inside this 'house of the future' and it's suddenly 1954 all over again! "

[L C, 07/21/2004]
Electric House Tour

The Johnson County Museum of History has an exhibit "Seeking The Good Life," and a tour of a 1953 "all electric" home. The exhibit was interesting, and the house was fun. The house has been renovated back to '50s splendor, and the electric amenities were great: electric curtain closures and pulls, television behind a slide-away picture panel above the electric fireplace. The television remote controls are hard wired, and there are cables to the remotes. There is a remote for the television outside on the patio, so the television could be watched and the channels changed while barbecuing! The tour of the home was given by a young woman dressed in a 1950s suit, with hat and gloves, no less. She seemed to like her job and was looking forward to hostessing a '50s Christmas party with aluminum tree with revolving color wheel and plenty of Jell-o snacks for everyone.

[Naomi, 06/20/2001]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Derby Winner Grave in Housing DevelopmentDerby Winner Grave in Housing Development, Prairie Village, KS - 2 mi.
Bronze Pioneer Mom and BabyBronze Pioneer Mom and Baby, Shawnee, KS - 4 mi.
World's Fair Last SupperWorld's Fair Last Supper, Kansas City, MO - 5 mi.
In the region:
Meals Delivered by Model Railroad, Kansas City, KS - 10 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Kansas Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights