The current home of the Kansas City Automotive Museum is a little bit hidden away in Olathe, Kansas. This 10,000 square-foot museum is PACKED with all sorts of cars and information. Much more than I anticipated. Founded and opened in 2014, the Automotive Museum houses many cars and other objects that are on loan from their owners, where they are safe but also provide a place for others to share in the joy of their uniqueness.
There are race cars, turquoise-colored cars from the 1950s, an original Model T, 1912 Ford Model T, Packard Roadster, Studebacker, Bentley, Jaguar, Chevrolet Sport Phaeton, a bubble car, children’s go-carts, and so much more. I am not a car enthusiast, but I definitely enjoyed this experience.
We went with friends in October and were delighted to have a docent go through the entire museum with us. He was fantastic in explaining the different cars and what made them special; the special exhibits; the history of cars in Kansas City, and answered all of our questions, even the naïve ones.
Along the walls was information about the Kansas City automotive industry. I knew we have factories here, but I had no idea how long cars have been made in the area. I also did not realize that in the early years there were many small car companies that made perhaps dozens of cars before they closed. But that makes sense as all cars were originally made by hand. It wasn’t until Ford came up with the assembly line that car making became quicker and cheaper.
I was also amazed about how streets were developed. There was not always all the pavedc roads everywhere. They had to be built. One fun fact I learned was the origins of the term Jaywalking. It was a term for people who crossed the street in front of cars, making them seem not very smart.. Unlike now when motorists is blamed if they go too quickly and hurt someone, then they turned it around and blamed the pedestrian if they went in front of a car or were hit by a car!!!!
The Homer B. Roberts Gallery is in honor of the first African American car salesman in the Kansas City area. In the early 1900s he had an office at 14th and Vine where he sold cars to the African American community. I had not thought of that before, white salespeople did not sell to African Americans, but in order to make more money they needed a salesperson. Enter Homer B. Roberts and Roberts Motor Mart.
There is so much information in the permanent displays of the museum, a car enthusiast could spend hours looking at cars and listening to the stories. But there is also an exhibit room for special displays. When we went there were motor homes/campers from the early 1970s. Some were all in one, others were ones that were pulled by a car. I enjoyed seeing those as well.
The Kansas City Automotive Museum is building a new home in Kansas City, Missouri, on the north side of 31 street between Broadway Boulevard and Southwest Trafficway. It will be much bigger, 40,000 square feet, and able to display many more of the community’s antique and special cars.
This is a fun and informative museum, a hidden history gem, in Olathe. But when it moves to Kansas City, Missouri, set to open in 2027, I believe it will be even more impressive. I look forward to visiting the new museum then. For more information go to the website, https://kansascityautomuseum.com/
Portland, Oregon, is home to three of the most beautiful gardens I have visited!
China Town and the Lan Su Chinese Garden is located just off the Willamette River near the Steel Bridge. It was a mile walk from our hotel. So we decided to walk over the Steel Bridge in order to see it up close.
Opened for use in 1912, the Steel Bridge (yes, it is made of steel) has a central area that is a vertical lift, which moves the two-deck surface upwards so that high ships can sail under it. It is an amazing contraption to see. Since the bridge has a Kansas City connection – Waddel & Harrington, who designed it were a Kansas City firm – I felt it was something we had to experience. Although the lower deck is built for pedestrians, we did not know that when we walked across, so we took the top deck. At times, I noted that the railings along the deck were quite low, so I recommend the lower deck for walking.
The entrance to Lan Su.Beautiful woodwork.the teahouse.Inventive ways to view gardens.The amazing stone inlaid patios.
At the end of the bridge, it was a short walk to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. This delightful oasis was built in 1999 by 65 artisans who came from China and opened to the public in 2000. There is a short movie that explains how it was built. I was fascinated by the inlaid rock areas. I even asked the guide if we were allowed to walk on it, it was so beautiful
The gardens and the lake create lovely view, but so is the wonderful craftmanship of the buildings and the woodwork. You are able to walk into all the buildings and admire them. The tea house serves a variety of teas and pastry. We had to stop in there for a snack and enjoyed to views of the gardens.
When walking through the gardens, I did not think of the city around us, instead I felt like I was encapsulated in a hidden jewel.
China Town Gate.
Afterwards we walked to the Golden Horse restaurant for a lunch. It seemed right that we have Chinese food after visiting the garden.
The next day we continued our Asian garden experiences with a visit to the Portland Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. WOW! If Lan Su is an encapsulated oasis within the city, the 12-acre Japanese Gardens is a paradise!
A part of Washington Park since 1962, this peaceful setting was built to bring healing to the city after World War 2. I believe it did. You cannot walk through these gardens and not appreciate the culture that produce it.
Like Lan Su, there are buildings on the grounds including a Japanese Tea House. Since it is a much larger garden, there is a learning Center, a Café, a more. But for me it was the gardens that drew my admiration.
You start at the bottom of a hill after paying at the Welcome Center, meandering upwards to antique gate and continuing up. Looking back at the views of the city as you climb the foliage is really breathtaking. At the top you enter the Nezu Gate by the Japanese Arts Learning Center, where you can visit the Bonsai Garden. From there, you take the paths around the garden settings with koi ponds, waterfalls, raked sands and more. Every garden has resting spots where you can sit quietly and enjoy the views and the peace and serenity.
I think if I lived in Portland I would go to the Japanese Gardens weekly to ease my anxieties.
My favorite Rose.
Because we were in Washington Park, after we finished our time at the Japanese Garden, we did walk over to the International Rose Test Garden. Established in 1917, this garden has over 4 acres of magnificent roses. I was here several years ago when I first visited Portland. But we had to stop in to see the beauty of this garden as well. There are always amazing roses during the blooming season. One peach-colored rose caught my eye, its petals resembled crepe paper.
And a wonderous mansion too!
Sewing Room.Intercom.Mrs. Pittock.
Since we were in Washington Park, we visited one more spot close to Washington Park, the exquisite Pittock Mansion. The home of the owner of the Portland Oregonian, the mansion took two years to build, with a move in date of 1914. Overlooking the city and the river, it has magnificent views and lovely gardens as well. But it is the house that is the main attraction.
It was an enormous laundry!Shower with many streams of water.Shower in one of the bathtubs.Sitz bath!Freezers
The Pittock Mansion has many innovations for a house of its time. The abundant bathrooms had all the ‘modern conveniences” with both tubs and showers; an intercom system: extensive laundry room and an amazing cold room. The door was extra insulated and the room contained cold storage. Mr. Pittock wanted the best and the most up-to-date home.
After the family moved out in 1958, the house was abandoned. Eventually the city purchased it and restored it and opened it to the public in 1965. I am sure the upkeep is still tremendous!
Today it is a great venue for weddings and other events. I had to pose on the grand staircase. It was a moment for me to imagine living there. Which I never could, but really some spots just call out for a photo. The Pittock Mansion is another must see site in Portland.
Visiting the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv
In August I visited ANU – The Museum of the Jewish People on the campus of Tel Aviv University. There was much I saw at the museum that resonated in my heart. But honestly, I just could not write about my visit. At that time, I was not in the right mind frame to discuss what we, the Jews, have been through in the past few years, as we were dealing with the worldwide Jew hatred and still praying for the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
But this week when the living hostages were finally released, and it felt possible that this seemingly endless war of survival is shifting, I revisited my time at ANU. I remembered what stood in my mind then and still remains with me now.
I am a descendant of Jews who fled Spain and Portugal and ended up in Amsterdam before moving to Austria. Although I know of one distant relative who was burned at the stake in Portugal for being a crypto Jew, most of my family kept their Judaism when they moved to the Netherlands.
I found out that the Jews of Spain and Portugal were not the only Jews who had to practice their religion in secret. At ANU I learned of the hidden Jews of Iran. In the 1800s the Jewish people of Mashhad, Iran, were forced to convert to Islam or be killed. For over 100 years the hidden Jew of Mashad were outwardly following Islam, but on Shabbat they celebrated their Judaism. Forced to live in a ghetto area for these “new Muslims,” called Jadid al-Islam,” they married within their community. Finally, in the 20th century they reclaimed their Jewish identity. About 10,000 Jews still live in Iran.
My family story mirrors stories retold at ANU. My family, who had settled in Amsterdam, made a life changing decision in the late 1700/early 1800s. A branch of my family settled in Galicia, Austria, in a small town called Mielec and my immediate family settled nearby in Trzciana. For decades they lived peacefully with their neighbors. But with the rise of the Nazis, everything changed. Of the 5000 Jews who lived in Mielec area, only a little over 100 survived the extermination of the Jews. Two of them were my relatives. Everyone else who stayed were murdered.
My grandfather came to the USA in 1920. He did not suffer as most of his family did in the 1940s. His suffering was the not knowing what happened to his loved ones.
My family have lived the American dream which up in till the last decade or so has been wonderful. Yes there was antisemitism, but it was kept quiet. Most people treated each other with civility. However, in recent years that quietness faded and people felt empowered to spew Jew Hatred. Social media has been a major source of spreading all types of Hatred. With October 7, a war that Hamas started not just to kill the Israelis but to cause a fire storm of hatred toward Israel, social media has become a cesspool of hate. Using social media to life stream the attack on Israel and then to spread its hate has been an outrageous attack on Jewish people. And that fact that the news media does not vet its information makes matters worse. Social media and some news media have been complicit in the spread of hate.
This web of hatred seems impossible to deal with at times. But the other important information I learned by visiting ANU, is that we survive. We have the will to survive. We are innovative and positive. We as a people make contributions in science, medicine, math, literature, agriculture, film and more. Our identity and culture keep us strong. I believe that inner strength will define us.
At ANU is the Sasson Codex, one of the oldest complete Hebrew Bible. It is currently in a protected spot due to the missiles that have been launched toward Tel Aviv. But a replica is on display. It is a treasure of Judaism. And it is the Jewish Torah that has influenced the Western world, even though at times it seems they have forgotten the words that are at the heart of religious life: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, etc. We are said to be the people of the Book, and that book is Torah.
At ANU miniatures of the famous synagogues of the world are on display, including the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam. A synagogue that has been present for 350 years, where my family might once had prayed. Throughout all the wars and waves of Jew Hatred this Synagogue has remained! It continues as a the place of prayer for the Jews of Amsterdam who survived the Shoah, while other synagogues now serve as museums.
At ANU, I saw highlighted quotes by famous people about the Jewish people. This one by Jean-Paul Satre, felt right to me: “I cannot judge the Jewish people by the accepted rules of history, the Jewish people is something beyond time.”
Let it be so. Am Israel Chai. The people of Israel, the Jewish people. They lived; they live; they will live. Now and beyond time. Amen Selah.
An adventure to Crown Center in Kansas City brought my friends and me to the Museum of BBQ, which opened just this April. I learned more about barbecue then I realized I needed to know! First, I learned about the history of BBQ, or should I say ‘barbacoa” and how this style of cooking was brought to Europe from explorers who went to Africa and the Americas.
Barbecue: You can make it spicy, or sweet, or very tart. It can be made with dry rubs or wet rubs. People in different states like it in different ways. And if you live in North Carolina, the state is divided about how you should eat it. The east side wants it heavy on the vinegar; the west side wants mustard. (Personally, I do not want either!! Sorry) There is also debates which is better, BBQ pork or BBQ beef. They don’t even mention chicken!!
At the museum there are activities like playing in a pool of baked bean-colored balls. Or wearing a belt that indicates you are a BBQ master. You can try to hang a ring from the horns of a steer! My friend’s husband actually succeeded in this challenge. The rest of us failed!!
You can find out all about BBQ and baked beans, because what is BBQ without beans! And you need to learn about the history of Bush’s Baked Beans. The last set of displays focuses on Kansas City and the American Royal BBQ competition. Also, how KC BBQ went global when KC Masterpiece’s sauce was purchased and distributed nationwide.
For me the best part was learning about the different types of BBQ sauces and realizing why I love Kansas City Barbecue. I now know why. I love the sweet molasses or brown sugar concoctions that Kansas City Barbeque offers the palate. For me KC BBQ brisket or chicken is the best. To taste some of these other sauces, just check out the gift shop, which has BBQ sauces from all the country!
I also learned that fat, or marbling makes BBQ more delicious. And for some the most delicious of all are the fatty burnt ends of a brisket. My husband loves burnt ends, a delicacy.
To make our day complete, we had lunch at the Burnt Ends BBQ restaurant in Crown Center. The husbands had burnt ends. My friend and I had BBQ brisket. It was deliciously cooked in the KC BBQ manner.
Kansas City has many wonderful BBQ restaurants. And everyone in the Kansas City metro has their favorite. My favorites are Jack Stack and Brobecks. I never argue with those who like other restaurants because it is a no lose situation. Every restaurant is great including, Joe’s KC BBQ, Gates Bar-B-Q, Q39, Burnt Ends, Taste of KC, and Arthur Bryants.
If you visit Kansas City be ready to try BBQ, it is a must. If you want to learn more about BBQ, check out the Museum of BBQ.
Our cruise in July started in Iceland. We arrived while the volcano was erupting. We could see it from the road as we traveled from the airport to Reykjavik. It was exciting for us because years earlier we were in Hawaii when the volcano was erupting, but the day that our cruise ship was going to be able to see the lava flow, it stopped. A great disappointment. Seeing the eruption in Iceland fulfilled a desire to see an erupting volcano.
Sveinsson’s home and museumArt inside the home.Woman WIth A Churn
We visited two off the beaten path places in Reykjavik that were in walking distance to our hotel. The first was the Asmundur Sveinsson home and sculpture garden/museum at the Reykjavik Art Museum.. Honestly, I had never heard of him before, however one of his statures I had seen, “The Woman with A Churn”. Some of his large sculptures did not appeal to me. I think I like figures that I understand a bit more. Before we read the description in the guide we used, my husband and I tried to figure out what some of the sculptures represented. I think we needed to understand more about Iceland mythology culture to really appreciate the figures. But I am glad we went.
The water feature sculptureA small garden hut at the gardens. Lowlying rock gardensLoved this water at the gardens
From the museum we walked to the Reykjavik Botanic Garden, “Grasagardur Reykjavikur.” I love botanical gardens, and this one was lovely, especially since the flora of Iceland is much different than those I had visited before! Much of it is low to the ground and nestled into rocks and crevices. I liked how there were paths through the rock gardens so we could get up close to these plants. It was a quiet place to walk and enjoy, as well as to see all the families there enjoying the paths as well. I am sure it is a great place for families because it is also free and open to the public.
There is a wonderful sculpture in the park of two towers and between them is a water feature that ebbs and flows. It stands right in front of one of the rock gardens. I enjoyed seeing its water display with the plants below. The botanical garden does have a café, where many of the families were eating. We chose to leave the park to walk a bit through the town and ate at a lovely little restaurant called, Ginger. It was excellent.
My other favorite spot in Iceland was our at first stop on the cruise at Vestmannaeyjar on Heimaey Island. Before our tour, we took a quick walk around town and decided to visit the Beluga Whale Sanctuary at Sealife Trust. I have been singing the Beluga Whale song, “Baba Beluga.” by Raffi for years. First to my children and now to my granddaughters. So I absolutely had to visit this sanctuary and donate to support the whales. Their two whales were rescued from show and now live peacefully. They Sealife Trust is preparing a bay at Heimaey Island to eventually releases the beluga whales to live in. I am glad we made this stop before meeting up with our tour.
The volcano to the left is Eldfell. You can see how high up we are. This area was once as low as the area to the right.This was the salt water tank for the town’s pool. The pool is under lave.Lava used to build walls.This house’ backyard is lava!In this area, this is how high the lava and ask got before it was removed.
I chose our tour because of my fascination with volcanos. Years ago my husband and I visited Pompeii, the most famous of the once lava and ash covered ancient cities. Well Vestmannaeyjar, has a similar history. In 1973, the Eldfell volcano erupted for six months. It covered most of the city in ash and lava. Over the years, the people have dug out some of the town. But a large area is still covered by the lava. We joined a group that took a lava walk along the top of this lava flow above the now covered town. Luckily even though this eruption happened in the early morning, almost all the residents were able to escape to mainland Iceland. Just one person perished.
Our tour guide for the trip was a local resident, whose grandparents and mother lived through the eruption. They were fortunate as their home was on the far side of town, and so not destroyed. But like all the other residents, they had to evacuate. She also told us how the town saved their bay from the lava flow thus making it possible to the town to survive after the eruption. They took salt water from the ocean and continuously sprayed it on the lava, which helped stop it just a short distance from the bay,
The lava increased the size of the island by two miles, also the town was able to use the heat generated by the still warm lava for decades to heat the homes and businesses! I also noticed that a lot of fences and walls are made from lava in the city.
We could see what was left of Eldfell now, but noticed there is another older volcano, Helgafell, nearby that still has the typical volcano shape.
I really did enjoy our lava walk and tour. But honestly, I also wish part of it was to visit the Eldheimar Volcano Museum. It was a great disappointment. But by the time I realized we would not be visiting it, we had to head back to the ship. I guess I will have to go back one day.
The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes has exhibits that all children and adults 12 and older should experience. A friend and I went there specifically to see the Anne Frank Exhibit, “Anne Frank: A History for Today,” which is now completed. But that was just a minor part of this learning experience. Since that special exhibit is over, this blog will focus on the usual museum sights.
First Panel of Anne Frank Exhibit
Located just two short blocks from the Ft. Scott National Historic Site, the Lowell Milken Center, is a wonderful place to learn about people who stand up and do good in times of crisis. The centerpiece of the museum is “Irena Sendler: Life In A Jar,” the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker, who saved over 2500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War Two. She had a group of about 20 people who helped her. But it was Sendler who organized the group and saved the names of the children who were rescued.
Irena herself was rescued from obscurity by a group of high school children from a small town in Kansas. Their discovery led them to find out Irena was alive. They had the chance to meet her and wrote a play about her that has been shown hundreds of times, which led to Irena being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could be recognized as the prize cannot be awarded to someone who is deceased. Her story and the story of the girls who brought her story to life is the centerpiece of the Center.
However, it is not just about Irena’s story. There are many unsung heroes whose stories are on display at the Center. Each story was discovered by students and then written about for display at the Center. Student can enter their research into the Discovery Award competition which recognizes outstanding Unsung Heroes projects by students in grades 4-12.
In these times of increased online hatred and the rise of anti-immigration, ICE raids, and Jew Hatred, the Lowell Milken Center is an oasis of goodness. Each panel tells the story of someone who stood up to be counted in times of peril, helping those in need. These people, of all religions, follow the Jewish value of doing good, repairing the world , “or “Tikun Olam.”
While we were there, we met briefly with a group of international teachers who had come to the Center to learn about the programs and how to bring it to their schools. The two people leading the discussions were part of the original Irena Sendler discovery: the high school history teacher and one of the students. That student, Meagan, now works at the Lowell Milken Center.
This brought me joy, as I saw the original play when the girls were in high school and they presented in Kansas City. Then a few years later, I saw the expanded play as well. My friend had seen it with me. We were pleasantly surprised to meet her. She told the international teachers that we had seen the play! Smiles all around. It was so wonderful to see that she continues to dedicate her life to teaching others to do good!
I have written about Ft Scott before. (See blog below.). So I will tell you that an excellent summer field trip day with your middle school and older children would be to visit Ft. Scott in the morning. There is a Park Ranger to help as you walk around the site, clean bathrooms and a store. Have lunch at one of Ft. Scott’s restaurants.
Then during the heat of the day, go to the Lowell Milken Center to immerse yourself and your children in goodness and kindness. Your heart will be filled with the knowledge that there are truly good people in the world.
I am a dedicated Disney enthusiast. I have been to both Disneyland and Disney World multiple times. When the Disney 100 Anniversary Exhibition visited Kansas City, I made sure that my husband and I had tickets to go through the exhibit. I loved it!
I have passed by the Laugh O Gram building in Kansas City many times. I am still hoping that one day KC will have its own little piece of Disney. Now I can add a new Disney experience. I finally got to visit the Disney hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
It was worth the over two-hour drive from our home. Was it everything I thought it would be, not exactly. But despite that, even my husband said that the museum was very interesting. And it was.
Original ticket booth.
The Disney Hometown Museum is housed in the original Marceline Sante Fe train depot. A perfect spot for a Disney museum because Walt Disney loved trains. Parts of the train station are still obvious. The original ticket office still exists with some train memorabilia. Also the train comes by every so often, so you get to hear the sounds and whistle.
Davy CrockettOriginal Map
Most of the collection was from the estate of Walt and Roy’s sister, Ruth. Even though she was not employed by the Disney company, she received many Disney artifacts and letters throughout her lifetime. Many of the items on display were hers.
Also included are many Disney family items. Photographs and letters line display boxes. Information about the Disney parents and siblings is an important part of the museum. I loved learning about how Walt and Roy took care of their family throughout their lives, giving them Disney stock and other items. In fact, the one Disney sibling who never married, left millions of dollars the Shriners’ Children Hospital. What a great place for the profits of the Disney company to end up!
Teacup RideIt’s a Small World
I really enjoyed the displays on the second floor of the original Disneyland models. Seeing the view of the It’s a Small World Ride and the teacups in miniature, as well as the castle and other rides was really a thrill. This is what they were trying to create in full size, and they succeeded!
As an aside, the Teacups were my favorite ride when I was younger. But as I aged I realized I did not like to be spinning around. For my sister and daughter “It’s a Small World” was the best ride ever.
I loved seeing the items like the model dressed in the Davy Crockett regalia and the giant Mickey Mouse. There were dozens of items to enjoy. Some of which I remember from my children hood. My brother was a big Davy Crockett fan!
I have to also comment on the kindness of the people who worked there. They made the experience so warm and friendly. But then they knew we were true enthusiasts as I was wearing one of my Disney shirts. In fact ,you could tell in each family who was there who the Disney fan was…that was the person who people wearing Disney clothes!
Vuew of the ride as we walked toward it.Entrance to ride area.One of the cars in the museum.
After the Museum we walked over to Ripley Park, where the Midget Autopia ride was installed after it was taken out of service at Disneyland. The only ride ever to be given away after it left the park!! I am sure it is a shorter car trail than what was used on Disneyland. You can still see where it was, as it is still set up to be used. But currently the cars are no longer there. Although there is one car on display in the museum.
In the park you can also see both a diesel locomotive and a steam locomotive. They are quite huge.
For lunch we ate at Ma Vic’s Corner Café. It was crowded with locals and with the people who had been to the museum. I saw two other restaurants in town, but I am not sure they are open for lunch.
We also walked past the Uptown Theater where Disney premiered two of his movies and where he saw movies as a child. It is closed now. But it does resemble the movie theatre on Main Street USA at the Disney parks.
Main Street USA was a disappointment. We walked up and down Main Street USA, which Walt Disney used as the guiding force of the Main Street in Disneyland/Magic Kingdom. But it was somewhat sad. Most of the store fronts were empty. There were a few things in the windows, but many had no businesses. A few shops were open, when we were there, while some that opened only in the afternoon. I guess I was hoping for more Disney spirit in downtown.
When we went back to the museum, before we left, I asked about the Main Street stores. We were told that someone had purchased the buildings to keep the look of the town intact, but really there was not a lot of business.
Honestly, although there is a small shop in the museum, I think that they should use one or two of the store fronts to open a Disney store in Marceline. I think it would be busy with those of us who would love to purchase more in Disney’s hometown. Look at Hamilton. It was a dying town, but with all the fabric stores, it is now a quilting mecca. I think something more can be done with Marceline. But don’t worry, I did help the economy by buying myself a t-shirt, two magnets and presents at the museum.
We did not visit the Disney farm or school. I am not sure the school would be open to visitors, but at the museum we saw that Disney artists had painted murals throughout the school. However, with our two-hour drive home and the heat of the day, we ended our visit to Marceline.
The Disney Hometown Museum is definitely worth the drive for Disney enthusiasts. My husband and I truly enjoyed our time there viewing all the artifacts, reading the letters and materials and talking with some other Disney fans and the museum staff.
Every Year on the Fourth of July, we watch the movie version of the play 1776. We love the music; we love the acting; we love the retelling of the founding of our country. But for me the scene that always hurts my soul is when Edward Rutledge sings “Molasses to Rum to Slaves.’ That moment in the movie is so strong and so emotional. When John Adams says, “For God’s Sake Mr. Rutledge,” I can feel the pain.
When we were in Charleston, South Carolina, we knew that part of our visit there was to learn more about the slave trade: to see where it happened. We visited St. Philip’s Church and walked through the historic cemetery where some of those involved in the American Revolution are buried, including the infamous Edward Rutledge. We saw the area where the slave market was held and walked down the cobblestone streets. The historic district of Charleston is unique and extremely interesting.
I learned interesting information about the history of slavery while in Charleston. This new- found information started with our visit to the Magnolia Plantation, which is just outside Charleston. I never knew that Carolina Gold referred to golden rice. Actually, I never knew that rice was grown in the south. I always just think of tobacco and cotton. My eyes have been opened. What I learned created a burn in my heart.
Rbuilt slave quartersA rice paddie areaAshley River
While at the Magnolia Plantation where saw the area where the slaves lived. Four families to a building. There are only a few rebuilt slave buildings now. Most were destroyed in previous hurricanes. At one time there were 11 or more ‘homes’. Almost 250 slaves lived on the Magnolia Plantation. Their main job was growing and harvesting rice.
We saw where the rice paddies once were located. Some of them still have water. It is from the tides that wash over the banks of the Ashley River and fill up areas that have been dug out down three feet and contained by low levees, so the water doesn’t all recede. A perfect spot for growing rice and also good homes for alligators and water moccasins. Two creatures that are adept at killing humans.
We found out that once a child was tall enough, he or she went into the rice paddies to work. The average length of time that someone survived the rice paddies was six to eight years!!! Someone who was 20 years old and still alive after being exposed to deadly snakes, alligators and disease, was considered old. That was something I did not know. And that makes me a bit sick to my stomach. How could they use children this way? Really disgusting! No one there are people who are adamant to keeping the real story out of our schools.
Going the next day to the International African American Museum cleared up a puzzle for me. How did these slaves know how to grow rice? It seems when the white men came to Africa to purchase captured slaves, they were going with a list of who they wanted. And what they wanted were farmers who knew how to grow rice and indigo. They were enslaving people who had the knowledge that would make the plantation owners rich, while the slaves would not only be enslaved but most likely die young. It seems so unreal. But it is true. I always knew the slave owners became rich due to slavery, but I never knew the stave traders went to Africa with a shopping list of which Africans they wanted to enslave. A definite eye-opening experience.
We enjoyed learning at the museum. The first section discusses the African American community in South Carolina and how the Middle Passage from African often ended up in Charleston, which was the most active port in the slave trade. Many people died on the way over and those who survived that horrible journey had more horrors ahead.
I also learned more about the Low Country Gullah Geechee population and their unique culture, which is so interesting. The descendants of slaves, the Gullah Geechee people were able to hold on to their African heritage because they were isolated on island and costal plantations.
The second section of the museum was filled with facts and information decade by decade of the African American experience. To be honest, this is not a museum to take young children, there is just too much reading and too much standing. I wish they had some benches along the winding hallways to take a break both physically and mentally. There is so much to absorb. It was difficult for me. And after a bit I was exhausted from the stories, the reading and the standing.
A few years ago, we visited the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. The permanent exhibit, “And Still We Rise,” was so immersive and left a permanent mark in my memory about how horrible the Middle Passage was for the enslaved and captured Africans. It does a much better job, visually, explaining the slave trade and having the visitors feel the impact, while its special exhibits focus on more cultural experiences.
The museum in South Carolina, however, does a much better job about explaining and detailing the history of the African American community over the centuries by highlighting important events, dates and people. But trying to see it all in one day is too much.
There were two little exhibits that stuck out to me as I walked through this museum. They had a display of the Green Book that told African Americans where they could stay as they traveled around the USA. I turned to pages to Kansas, where I currently live, to see where people could spend the night. There are not many places, which is disturbing. But in a way, being Jewish, I understand this pain, as Jewish people were also discriminated against and not allowed to stay in many places.
I did enjoyed seeing two of David Drake’s pottery pieces. I had seen his work several times on the Antique Roadshow, so was excited to see them in person. We saw another one at the Gibbes Museum in downtown Charleston. It was interesting to note the fact that he could write and sign his name was a quiet protest against slavery since slaves were not allowed to learn to read or write. This knowledge could have cost him his life.
Charleston was a lovely city to visit. There is so many places to immerse yourself into the history of our country. But while learning about things we can be proud of, we cannot forget the darkest, bitter moments of our country’s past due to its support of slavery.
The Anne Frank Center and Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
When we drove from Asheville to Charleston, before the hurricane, friends of ours who live in Charleston suggested we stop at the Anne Frank Center located on the campus of the University of South Carolina.
I never expected South Carolina would be the home of one of four Anne Frank Centers in the world, and the only one in the United States, in partnership with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. I contacted the Center before our trip and was able to make an appointment to tour the exhibits.
So today, on October 7, 2024, I feel that I must remember the distant past of Jew hatred as we mourn the one year anniversary of the vicious attack on Israel.
The Anne Frank House does an excellent job recreating the feeling of the hidden annex. While touring the exhibit, visitors will enter a display of Anne Frank’s diary written in many languages on a wall of bookcases. Not surprisingly one bookcase opens allowing visitors to enter a darkened room that helps tell the story of the Annex. Having visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, I was amazed about how this small display harkens to the feelings I had in Amsterdam.
Besides the onsite programs, the Anne Frank House also offers traveling exhibits that can be sent across the USA. They teach local high school or college students to serve as the guides to the 32-panel exhibit. I would love to see this exhibit in my home community! Our tour at the Anne Frank Center was led by a college sophomore who was doing her first tour for us and her dad! Emma did a great job. I could see that she related to the world of Anne.
Going to the Anne Frank Center and remembering her words of hope help me see hope in the situation that we have in the Middle East today. There are good people who want this violence to stop. Who want terrorists to end their campaign of hatred. No one wants innocents, like Anne Frank, to suffer or die. So I have to believe there will be peace.
My feelings of hope continued in Charleston where we visited the 275-year-old Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue, founded in 1749. It is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the United States. The current building dates from 1841, after a fire in 1838 destroyed the second building.
Originally a Sephardic synagogue with the bima in the center and balconies above for the women, it changed in 1879, when the bima moved to the front and women joined men in siting for services. Later, after the earthquake of 1886, the balconies were destroyed and were not replaced.
Standing in a building that has housed a congregation since 1840, almost 190 years, and knowing that the congregation itself is 275 years old gives me hope. This congregation has survived the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WW1, WW2, antisemitism, the creation of the State of Israel, the rise of the alt right in the south, and more. The fact that it continuous to be an active congregation gives me hope.
Today, I remember my feelings on October 7, 2023, when my daughter called me from Israel to say she and her husband were okay, but that the situation was very bad. The entire country was in shock. Everyone knows someone who died. For me, although I knew no one, I do know people who lost family members and friends. The past cannot be forgotten. However with education, like that of the Anne Frank Center, and endurance like that of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, I believe we can look forward with hope to the future.
In March when we stayed in San Diego, I noticed the most unusual sculpture from our hotel window. We overlooked a bridge, the convention center and this giant piece of art. I told my husband that we had to walk over to it and see about this giant face! The walk was a little longer than I anticipated. And the sculpture was much bigger than I thought! In fact, when we got close to it, I could not even take a photo. I should have done that from a block away. However, I did see that it was a piece of art called, “Coming Together” by Niki de Saint Phalle.
The sculpture is in the lower right corner. The view from our hotel.
When we got back to the hotel, I looked her up and found out that a retrospective exhibit of her art was going to open at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in late April. Wow, close to where I live. I needed to go when I went back, because now I was intrigued. It was as if the sculpture had called my name and now I could find out even more about this woman.
We then went off on a cruise, then home, then another trip, and I sort of forgot about the art exhibit. However, every so often I would get something from the museum about this exhibit and say to my husband, “We have to go to see that.” But I did not know why.
Finally, last week, just nine days before the exhibit ended, we went to the museum. I renewed our yearly membership that had just expired, and we just visited the one exhibit. My husband said, “Why do we have to go to this?” And I said, ”I honestly don’t know, but I have had it in my mind for months.”
When entered the exhibit, “Niki de Saint Phalle Rebellion and Joy” and saw her first works of art. I honestly did not like them. She was an angry young woman who made white paper mâché creations to which she hung balls of paint. She then took a gun and shot the paint balls so they splattered all over the art. I watched a video of her doing this. It was not for me. And I really thought I was crazed for wanting to go to this exhibit.
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But then we turned a corner. We saw her ‘nanas’, we saw her ‘skinnies’, we saw large sculptures, we saw maquettes of larger artwork, we saw her paintings, we saw a video of her installations in Tuscany called Tarot Park. This is a large art installation that made me think about and compare it in a way to Gaudi’s Parc Guell in Barcelona, a place I adore. (See blog below.)
I said, “Ok, Now I know why I wanted to come. This is like the inside of my mind. It makes me think of Gaudi and Hundertwasser, two of my all time favorite architects and artists. Yes, we had to come here.” (See blog below.)
But I still did not remember the sculpture in San Diego, until I saw her skinnies and read a bit about her life. She lived her last eight years in San Diego and had art installations there. YES. Now it all came back to me. The giant sculpture in San Diego. It all came together. I could tell my husband what was going on in my mind. But by that time he did not mind, he was also enjoying the exhibit.
Niki De Saint Phalle, should never be forgotten. She believed in Social Justice, Civil rights and support of AIDS patients. In the exhibit it said that she “Strove to create art and environments that inspired hope, freedom, empowerment and imagination.”
Her artworks are fanciful and fun, once she got passed her anger stage. They brought me much joy to see and explore. I was so impressed I had to buy “What is Now Known Was Once Only Imagined, An (Auto)biography of Niki de Saint Phalle” By Nicole Rudick.
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle marquette.
The exhibit is soon to close. But my interest in her remains. I am sure that next time I am in the San Diego area, my husband and I will be looking for all of her art installations in the city, and taking side trips to La Jolla and Encino to see more of her works, especially the Queen Califia’s Magical Circle,” of which we saw the marquette at the Nelsom. I also hope I can get to Tuscany one day and see the Tarot Garden!
I thank the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice, France, for loaning these works to the Nelson-Atkins! Also thanks to the Niki Charitable Art Foundation in California for sending along some additional pieces.
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