Ben Ferrel Museum
WELCOME !
Welcome to the Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum which is operated by the Platte County Historical Society. Our museum occupies a Victorian, Federal Empire Style brick mini-mansion. Frederic Krause, an immigrant from Prussia, built this home in 1882 to modestly reflect features of the Governor’s mansion in Jefferson City, Missouri. Both structures showcase a mansard roof, ornamental cresting, brick construction and limestone corner quoins.
Every piece of furnishing in the home, dating from 1840 to c. 1900, has a Platte County history. The first level includes: a parlor; sitting room with bronze marble fireplace; dining room with large double sliding wood-on-wood German hand-grained doors; kitchen with a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling; and latticed back porch. A curved staircase made of walnut and mahogany leads you to the second floor where there are four bedrooms. Another staircase connects the second floor and the kitchen. The basement, which once contained a cooking area, dining area, wine cellar, cistern room, wash area, and workroom, houses the Platte County Historical Society's genealogical library, archives and additional museum display rooms. The museum has a rare Civil War collection of Col. Charles E. Sinnet, a Union soldier.
Seasonal Exhibits and Events. We offer tours and changing exhibits (with related events), from mid-April to mid-October and special openings and activities at other times. Group tours by appointment throughout the year. The museum opens for Christmas decorations (coinciding with Main Street festivities in Platte City), on the evening before Thanksgiving and for three days in December.
Museum Contacts – A Few of Our Helpful Volunteers & Staff:
Curator – Lisa Wittmeyer; Head Docent – Cheri Lomas; Librarian – Craig Kirkpatrick
The Krause Mini-Mansion - A Brief History - Find out More!
A newsletter about the museum (with more about its history & happenings) can be downloaded below.
Make your Engagement a Special Memory at the Museum:
We enjoy seeing our museum in pictures and welcome the opportunity to be part of those special moments in your life. A donation is requested in advance for scheduling photographs in the museum or on its grounds. Ask to speak to the curator to find out more or to secure a reservation.