Was not overly impressed with this. Staff was wonderful and informative, just did not expect it to be in the middle of town, and was disappointed that the stagecoach ride was so short. Also very crowded. Special provisions should be made for large groups so they do not dominate everyone's visit at a place like this.
The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm was definitely worth the visit! We do recommend going on a weekend when it is staffed with volunteers dressed in time appropriate costuming. All the volunteers obviously loved what they did...they even had their children involved! I got to help the blacksmith start up his fire for the day...and in payment he gave me a nice ear of blood corn. :-) The woman who was in the house was full of information and very interested in sharing it. She had baked sorghum cookies, biscuits and pear butter and offered us samples. Included in your admission price was a ride on a stagecoach. The info museum at the visitor's center had lots of hands on activities that kids would love as well. This is a definite must see when you are in this area and was a highlight of our trip.
Very neat little farm. We had a family reunion there and it was the best location we've had! The kids enjoyed the animals and checking out the old buildings. Both the kids and adults enjoyed it.
I drove past this and decided to stop. I stayed a few hours and really enjoyed the setup they had. There were numerous buildings you can venture into and explore. They had people working there in different departments like a blacksmith etc.. The staff was very knowledgeable. They have a few animals to look at. Felt like I was stepping back in time for a few hours, I really enjoyed it.
This is a very cool place that tells the history of Olathe and the Mahaffie family. Great museum with artifacts found on the grounds. Old house is neat to check out as well. They have livestock and you can take a ride in a stagecoach!!!
This Sante Fe National Historic Trail stagecoach stop offers diverse activities reliving the 1860's. An indoor museum offers hands-on, kid-friendly exhibits and learning opportunities for all ages about the Mahaffie family that lived here. Outside you can visit and visit their 1865 stone farmhouse, take a ride in a stagecoach pulled by horses, see the dining area for the stagecoach travelers, pump water in the outside water pump, see the ice building, witness a working blacksmith (a real hit), and see Molly the 1 1/2 year old extremely docile cow, sheep, other animals, corn field, and vegetable garden. The staff are all in period costumes and ready and anxious to answer questions. Children under 5 are free. Older children are $4 and adults are $6. There are discounts available online and in travel guides.
Even though it was closed during the week they let us tag along with a school group. We even were able to ride the stage coach. All of their staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
I have lived here all my life and I have been to the Mahaffie stagecoach stop 3 times. It has grown to include festivals in the summer. Great example of a wonderful house, black smithing shop, animals and a real stagecoach to ride it. Wonderful new museum/gift store. If you are here or close b, it's a great places to visit.
we went during a Wild West weekend in Fall and thoroughly enjoyed the activities from Mexican dancing in authentic costume, to the yard games, and historical tent villages set up to replicate life in "the good ol' days". The stagecoach ride was brief, but unique and entertaining, and all of the tradesmen and cowboys in costume were neat to see. It was rather crowded on the weekend we went, so I can't speak to a non-event weekend, but still worth the stop for a fun slice of history!
The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site is a wonderful piece of living Kansas history. A main building houses the historic info and pictures and displays, but more importantly there is the original Mahaffie home you can tour, a working stagecoach (my first stagecoach ride!), a blacksmith shop, a barn with animals and farm equipment, etc.On the day we went, the Blacksmith spent a lot of time with us, teaching us the technique and allowing us to make a metal piece in the fire. Also, the cook in the basement of the house was making biscuits and gravy, and we spoke with her at length about local history and customs and also sampled her wares. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable, and Kansas history really came alive. I had no idea what to expect when we drove into Mahaffie (we were vacationing from South Texas), but we loved it. It seems perfect for families too. Very much worth the modest admission price. Glad they are keeping Kansas history alive....