Kansas City’s Arabia Steamboat Museum Faces Uncertain Future Amid Relocation Talks

Kansas City’s Arabia Steamboat Museum Faces Potential Move

In the heart of Kansas City, there’s a unique treasure waiting to be explored—the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Having called the lively River Market home for over 30 years, this captivating museum has become a cornerstone of local culture and heritage. But now, it appears this beloved attraction could be packing its bags and moving downstream.

The History Behind the Museum

What makes the Arabia Steamboat Museum so special? Well, let’s take a little trip back in time. This incredible steamboat sank in the Missouri River back in 1856, carrying around 200 tons of cargo that played a role in building the nation during a critical period in American history. The museum manager, Matt Hawley, shared that the museum is dedicated to celebrating this fascinating past, showcasing artifacts that were uncovered during an ambitious excavation project in 1988.

The Hawley family, made up of Bob, David, Greg, and others, discovered the sunken steamboat in a cornfield just six miles west of Kansas City. Since opening its doors in 1991, the museum has welcomed thousands of visitors, eager to step back in time and experience the rich history of river navigation and trade.

Expansion Talks: Will the Museum Stay?

However, since 2017, conversations about expanding the museum have been floating around the city. Despite the interest in both enhancing its current location and potential expansions, these discussions seem to have stalled since January. According to Matt, it’s been a rollercoaster of conversations with various towns showing interest in hosting the museum. One particularly keen contender is Saint Charles, Missouri.

Mayor Dan Borgmeyer of Saint Charles has been championing this cause for the last five years and remains enthusiastic about the prospect. Although a previous agreement fell through in 2022, he is back at the table, excited to explore options once more. Matt recounted how conversations picked up recently, indicating a possible restart of discussions with a shared vision to potentially relocate.

Plans for a Larger Steamboat Treasures Museum

The mayor envisions developing a grand 100,000-square-foot Steamboat Treasures Museum of America that would feature the Arabia alongside other riverboat history exhibits. The idea behind this plan leans toward a private/public partnership, adapting the previous model that didn’t quite work out.

As Mayor Borgmeyer works diligently to secure financial partnerships, he hopes to bring this vision to life within the next 15 months. Despite the excitement on both sides, it’s important to note that the Kansas City property management team is also exploring options for the museum’s current location. Both parties are keen on ensuring that whatever unfolds is beneficial to the community and its taxpayers, as emphasized by Mayor Quinton Lucas.

The Next Steps: A Decision Awaits

As the current lease for the Arabia Steamboat Museum is set to expire in November 2026, both Kansas City and Saint Charles have some work ahead. They will need to navigate through discussions and logistics before making any commitments. Matt expressed his hope, saying, “We’ve always felt like it would be great if we could stay here; this is the home. This is the place for 30 years where people come to the River Market and say this is one of the things to go see.”

So, what does the future hold for the Arabia Steamboat Museum? As plans continue to unfold and discussions evolve, one thing is for sure: the love for this remarkable piece of history is alive and well, no matter where it might finally anchor.