Displays

Francis Hall Photo Display Wall

The Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives maintains permanent and rotating displays in both the Clay County State Bank building and the Francis Hotel building. These adjoining buildings make up the museum and archives.

The bank building is its own display, having been designed by Louis S. Curtiss, well-known Kansas City architect. Curtiss was known for his use of the “curtain wall” construction, which generations later made the modern skyscraper possible. This type of construction features metal girders and large glass walls that hang off them, rather than solid block walls.

The former Francis Hotel was built circa 1913. It contained retail space on the ground floor with hotel rooms on the upper floor.

You are encouraged to visit for the complete experience of outstanding architecture, our mineral waters and their use in the medical community, and glimpses into the lives of people and businesses that contributed to the Excelsior Springs we are so proud of today!

Some of our permanent displays are featured below.

Architecture of Louis S. Curtiss

Tablet Tour Louis S CurtissElaborate interior decorative elements, such as the vaulted and lighted gilt ceiling, mahogany fixtures, and stone Iconic columns are features of some of the bank’s architecture. The Italian Renaissance building presents a classical temple front and Bedford sandstone exterior. It was completed in 1906 and expanded in 1920, when the paintings on the upper walls were apparently added.

The building is listed individually on the Excelsior Springs Landmarks register and listed in the Hall of Waters National Register Historic District.

Bank Vault

ES Museum Main Bank Vault
The Clay County State Bank operated in the building until 1968. At this time, it was given to the City to be used as a museum. The main floor vault was installed in 1919. The door weighs 20,000 pounds and is so delicately balanced it can be moved with one finger. The vault can be locked with four time locks, any of which will permit the door to open at the time designated. It is one of three vaults within the building.

deSzaak Paintings

Count deSzaak murals

On the walls of the bank are reproductions of two famous paintings — The Angelus (north wall above the entry door) and The Gleaners (south wall above the vault door). About 1919, Count Edmond deSzaak, who was stranded in our city, was commissioned to do these paintings. The Count was born in Budapest, Hungary. He studied art at some of the greatest educational and cultural centers of Europe, including Vienna, Paris, and Rome. The murals he painted in the Clay County State Bank are on canvas. They were never varnished over, consequently time has faded and dimmed the colors.

Loom

Francis Hall loom donated by Mr. and Mrs. Everett McCrory The old loom in the Francis Hall was donated to the museum by Mr. and Mrs. Everett McCrory. It was reassembled by Sam Sherwood, Luther Beatty and Otto Crowley, under the direction of Olive Johnston. Sherwood fashioned some of the missing parts. This type of loom is extremely rare.

Military Room

Military Room Flag Wall
The Museum has a room dedicated to the military history. On display are military uniforms, military books, photographs, and a diorama of a World War I military battle. The Museum is currently collecting information from local veterans to add to its military data base.

If you or a loved one have Excelsior Springs ties and served in the military, please fill out our military survey, click here.

For more photos and information on our military display and local veterans, click here.

Lake Maurer Train

This train is a wooden replica of a kiddie train that was at Lake Maurer. The replica was made in honor of Mary Katherine Maurer Dixon Martz, a local teacher and granddaughter of Jacob Maurer, who founded Lake Maurer with his brother John. The late Mrs. Martz also founded the Maurer Foundation, which provides support for larger projects around our museum.

This train model was built for us in 2011 by Ray Fernandez, who stops by regularly to give it a touch up. During one visit, he told us, “You know, I got to thinking, and I now have things in two museums – this one in Excelsior Springs, and down in Florida, I have a space shuttle.” It turns out he was a NASA engineer before he retired! He worked on the Gemini project (The Gemini missions were flown in 1965 and 1966.)

We welcome children to climb aboard and ring the bell.

FUTURE DISPLAYS

2026
– Sestercentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States

2030
– Excelsior Springs 150th Anniversary

PAST DISPLAYS

2021
– Struggle for Statehood: Missouri Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit
– Ancestral Trails (local companion exhibit)
– The McClearys
– Founders Family: Million Family

2020
– Women Vote!
– Excelsior’s CIA
– 40 Years of Community Theatre
– Founders Series: Sisk Family

2018
The Hubcap as Art – Traveling Exhibit
– Founders Series: Duncan Family

2017
– Solar Eclipse Lecture

2015
– Wrestling Exhibit: opening reception

2014
– Our Lives, Our Stories: America’s Greatest Generation, NEH on the Road Exhibit
– Phil Dixon: Speaking on History of Baseball
– Photo Workshop: State Historical Society

2013
– Founders Series: Rowell Family
– Quilt Show
– God, Family and Country Service and Sacrifice
– Jefferson Day at the Museum
– Civil War Exhibit: Divided Loyalties

2012
– Founders Series: Craven/Cravens
– Veteran’s Appreciation Day
– Girl Scout Display: 100 Year Anniversary

2011
– Reenactment & PowerPoint Display of Battle of Fredericksburg
– Founders Series: Wyman Day
– Return to Lake Maurer
– F. Scott Fitzgerald Interview
– Outstanding Women in Missouri Photo Exhibit

2010
– Brian McKee Exhibition
– Heroes of the Sky Traveling Exhibit

2008
– Elements from the Front Range Contemporary Quilters
– Spring Garden Tour

2007
– Founders Series: Clevenger Family
– Work is Art and Art is Work: The Art of Hand-crafted Instruments

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