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SANK 1856

RECOVERED 1988

THE ARABIA STEAMBOAT MUSEUM 

A popular Kansas City attraction for more than 25 years 

When the mighty Steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City on September 5, 1856, she carried 200 tons of mystery cargo. Lost for 132 years, its recovery in 1988 was like finding the King Tut’s Tomb of the Missouri River. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best.

 

The artifacts are preserved and displayed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, located in the historic City Market. From clothing, fine china and carpentry tools to guns, dishes and children’s toys to the world’s oldest pickles—the collection captivates visitors of all ages. Whether it’s your first visit to this favorite Kansas City attraction or you come every year, the treasures of the Steamboat Arabia will connect you to American history in a new and exciting way.

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL STEAMBOAT MUSEUM

The Arabia is an incredible story ... but there are other stories to tell. Hundreds of 1800s steamboats were lost to the Missouri River, hidden deep beneath riverbeds and farmfields. The National Steamboat Museum will be the pre-eminent historical and educational facility of our nation's long-lost steamboats and the stories they carried.

The National Steamboat Museum's vision is to discover, recover, and preserve other collections similar to that of the Arabia Steamboat for the cultural, historical and educational benefit of future generations.

Please donate here to help make this new, state-of-the-art facility a reality.
HOURS

Monday-Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*

Sunday

Noon - 5:00 p.m.*

*Closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Closed one hour early on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween and New Year's Eve.

VISIT

Visit includes a series of short videos that show the story of this historic excavation and a short movie. Guests will see the treasures recovered from the Arabia and watch preservationists restoring artifacts in our lab.

CONTACT

Arabia Steamboat Museum
400 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64106

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