Amelia Earhart paved the way for women all across the world to chase and follow their dreams. While she was best known for being the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, her ways to amaze and dazzle those around her didn’t stop there.
She also loved to write, create, design and find ways to push the boundaries that seemed to be placed in front of her because of her gender. As a female, Amelia Earhart is someone who I greatly admire. The way she chose to live her life for herself and her dreams is inspiring and motivating to myself to this very day.
My husband and I were recently hosted in Atchison, Kansas to tour the birthplace of Amelia Earhart as well as the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum where the last Lockheed Electra L-1oE remains.
While I was hosted on this trip, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Atchison, Kansas – The Birthplace of Amelia Earhart
Overlooking the Missouri river sits the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Born July 24, 1897, Amelia lived in Atchison at this home from age 3 to age 12 before moving to Des Moines, Iowa with her family.
The home originally belonged to her grandparents but during the years that Amelia and her family lived there, Amelia spent much of her time living the life of a child in her upstairs bedroom. Now that the home is a museum honoring the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, her old bedroom is full of letters from fans and children all over the world. There is even an adorable bear sitting on her bed, dressed like a pilot, appropriately named “Amelia Bearhart”.
Being able to tour the home of Amelia Earhart was amazing. Every room in the house showcased facts and things about her that I honestly didn’t know before visiting. It was amazing to learn that she was also a fashion designer and there are several of her own pieces on display at the Amelia Earhart Museum.
If you find yourself in the Atchison, Kansas area, taking a tour of the birthplace of Amelia Earhart is a must. Hours vary, so make certain to check their website for times that they are open.
Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum – Home of Muriel
I can assure you that Atchison, Kansas is full of surprises. Not only are they known as one of the most haunted towns in America (check out my stories on touring The Sallie House and McInteer Villa) but they have one of the biggest and best Amelia Earhart festivals around each and every year! People come from thousands of miles away to celebrate and honor the memories of Amelia Earhart. (I’ve heard that the fireworks are OUTSTANDING!)
During our day of learning about Amelia Earhart’s life and touring her birthplace, we were also invited to the hangar that houses the last Lockheed Electra L-10E plane in existence. (which is the same type of plane that Amelia was flying on her last tour of attempting to fly around the world)
Trust me…we didn’t have to be asked twice. While the hangar is a temporary home for the plane until the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum gets built, it’s still a perfect place to view this beautiful aircraft and learn all about the history. (Seriously, book your tour asap!)
To stand in front of this beauty and realize that this is the LAST Lockheed Electra L-10E in existence is amazing. Just take a moment and let that sink in. That’s huge. Mega. And for myself and my husband, we were in awe.
The plane does actually have a name – Muriel – named after Amelia’s little sister. The plane was discovered and purchased in 1982 by Grace McGuire when she set her eyes on it and wanted to save it from becoming scraps in the yard.
Grace loved this plane and loved Amelia Earhart. She spent 30 years of her life working and trying to perfect the plane to look as close as possible to Amelia’s. Grace had a goal in life to get the plane flight ready to be able to complete the same World Flight that Amelia took, but sadly personal illnesses made that trip untakeable.
Wanting the plane to remain in the town that Amelia was born, Grace sold the plane to the town of Atchison, Kansas, where it’s proudly displayed and available for tours.
The airplane hangar does a great job at displaying “Muriel” proudly, and the condition of the plane is impeccable. We MAY have taken about 300 photos of the beauty of this plane, so here are a couple more that were some of our favorites that we’re so happy to share with you!
Did I mention “she” doesn’t have a bad side?
In this picture, you’ll notice the nose of a car as well, which is actually said to be the real vehicle of Amelia Earhart.
Even now, in the 21st century, Amelia Earhart is still paving the way for females. I know I, for one, will always look up to her for her curiosity, courage and the ability to make life happen. She proved that anyone can do anything that they put their mind to, and she did many of those things with ease.
Honor her and her memory and accomplishments by touring these places on a visit to Atchison, Kansas. You’ll fall in love with her all over again.
Let me end this piece with one of my all-time favorite quotes by Amelia, herself:
The most effective way to do it, is to do it. – Amelia Earhart
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