Koester House Museum Foundation

Goal: $40,000.00

Specific Need

The Koester House Museum Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving one of our community’s most meaningful historic treasures—the Koester House Museum & Gardens. This is more than a beautiful Victorian home; it is a place where history lives, where the community gathers, and where memories are made.

Today, we stand at an important moment in our story. For the past year, the Foundation has been solely responsible for the care, preservation, and future of the museum and its grounds. While this brings exciting opportunities, it also means we rely more than ever on the support of people like you.

Thanks to generous donors, we have already accomplished critical restorations—from rebuilding brick walkways and patios to replacing outdated wiring that made the home safe and insurable again. But preservation is never finished. Historic structures require constant care, and each project reveals new challenges that must be addressed to protect the integrity of the home.

Right now, restoration is underway in the music room, where original details hidden for over a century are being carefully brought back to life. Looking ahead, we face urgent needs such as installing proper heating and air conditioning to protect both visitors and irreplaceable artifacts from damaging temperature extremes.

This museum is not just a building—it is a cornerstone of the community. It welcomes visitors, hosts events, and provides a peaceful space in our gardens for everyone to enjoy from dawn to dusk. Without continued support, maintaining this level of care and access becomes increasingly difficult.

Your donation makes a direct and lasting impact. It helps preserve history, sustain community programs, and ensure that future generations can experience the beauty and significance of the Koester House Museum & Gardens.

If this place has ever meant something to you—whether through a visit, an event, a quick picture taking moment, or simply knowing it is there—we ask you to consider giving today. Every contribution, no matter the size, moves this mission forward.

Please join us in protecting this irreplaceable piece of our heritage.

Donate today and be part of preserving the Koester House Museum & Gardens for generations to come.

Mission

The Koester House Museum, 919 Broadway, Marysville, Kansas, is owned and operated by the Koester House Museum
Foundation Inc.  The house, outbuildings, and grounds have historic significance and shall be preserved and maintained for future generations by the Koester House Museum Foundation. A portion of the mission shall be to support and assist in research and scholarship into the Koester House and family in their historical and community context. The Corporation may sponsor educational programs or events to provide greater opportunity to educate the public and for the public to understand and appreciate the historic significance and legacy of the Koesters.

Profile

The Koester House Museum & Gardens at 919 Broadway, Marysville, Kan., is a 19th century home with original furnishings and decor. Together with the summer kitchen, ice house, outhouse and gardens, the home helps tell the story of early-day Marysville. The gardens feature 12 white bronze statues, including a baby elephant modeled after an elephant born in 1882 in the Barnum & Bailey Circus winter headquarters in Bridgeport, Conn. Roman mythology figures Diana and Mercury are among the statues. Laura Ingalls Wilder commented in her 1894 trail journals on the elegant house where cast-iron lions and dogs guard the gates.

The museum is open April through October, 10-4 Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4 Sunday, plus by scheduled appointment.  Admission is $10  for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tours and group visits can be booked year round by calling 785-927-3101 (OneMarysville).

Contact info: 

Kim Houtz Hiller, 785-562-8724, kimh.rm24@gmail.com OR koesterhousemuseum919@gmail.com

Sharon Kessinger, 785-927-0523, hskessinger@gmail.com