martin and osa johnson safari museum chanute ks

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

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MARTIN AND OSA JOHNSON SAFARI MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sun 13:00 - 17:00
• Mon - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
• (0.07 mi) Tioga Extended Stay Hotel
• (1.26 mi) Santa Fe Safari Campground
• (2.53 mi) Knights Inn Chanute
• (1.43 mi) Guest House Motel
• (2.60 mi) Super 8 by Wyndham Chanute
• (0.08 mi) Little China
• (0.09 mi) Cardinal Drug Store
• (0.08 mi) Java Junction
• (0.11 mi) Opie's Pizza and Grill
• (0.22 mi) The Grain Bin Restaurant

on June 4, 2016

Martin and osa johnson safari museum.

To some, the story of Martin and Osa Johnson may seem more like a fantasy than reality. Osa, originally from Chanute, and Martin, raised in Lincoln and Independence, were married in 1910. Their love story is unique and involves adventures in Africa, Borneo and the South Pacific.

Not only did they explore these locations, they documented their adventures with film and photographs. 

“These Kansans captured the public's imagination through many movies, such as Simba and Baboona , and best-selling books including the classic zebra-striped I Married Adventure ,” says Conrad Froehlich, director of the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum. "Martin and Osa popularized camera safaris and an interest in wildlife conservation for Americans and  people worldwide. Their legacy is a record of the animals and cultures in remote areas of the world which have undergone profound changes.”

It continues because of the dedication of Osa’s mother, Martin’s sister and the Chanute Chamber of Commerce. In 1961, they officially opened the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute. The museum features award-winning exhibits and highlights the Johnsons’ achievements. The museum also offers educational programs for children and adults, making it a perfect place to take the entire family.

Additional exhibits feature the rich culture and art of Africa. A collection of more than 2,000 photographs from other prominent explorers is also available for viewing.

“Visitors will find carefully planned exhibits, a range of education programs and a helpful staff of professional employees and volunteers,” says Froehlich.

The exhibit areas and Osa's Ark Museum Store are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. As a non-profit, the museum charges admission to help cover operating expenses.

Call: (620) 431-2730

Visit: http://www.safarimuseum.com

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Good Day Kansas Explores: Martin + Osa Johnson Safari Museum - Chanute

The martin + osa johnson story - chanute.

I find Martin & Osa Johnson to be among the most fascinating couples in Kansas’ history. Their love story was built for a big screen as these southeast Kansas sweethearts won the hearts of millions across the world with their pioneering spirit and exotic adventures.

Martin Johnson grew up in Lincoln and Independence, where his passion for travel was ignited as his father, a jeweler, would receive crates from faraway lands, prompting Martin to stow away on a ship to Europe as a teenager. Soon after, Martin would travel the world as a chef on Jack London’s 45-foot boat from 1907 to 1909. When Martin returned, he would spend his time showcasing the photographs and artifacts he collected in a traveling exhibit. It was while he was in Chanute displaying his worldly collection that he met Osa. Although it wasn’t loved at first sight for Osa, Martin & Osa married a few months after meeting in May of 1910.

The Johnsons had plans to operate the Snark Theaters in Independence, but Martin was destined to live a life of travel and exploration. His passion was enough to convince Osa to give the expedition lifestyle a chance. In 1917, they left for their first trip together to the South Seas, resulting in their first movie, Among the Cannibals of the South Pacific , premiering in 1918. Martin & Osa would then go on several African safaris over the next few years exploring Uganda, Serengeti Plains, Belgian Congo, and Borneo.

Over their career, the Johnsons made eight feature movies, published nine books, and had a photography portfolio in the thousands. Upon returning home, they lectured throughout the United States, telling honest and real depictions of their explorations in a time when far-off lands were out of reach for ordinary people. You can learn more about Martin & Osa’s incredible life by visiting the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum, in Chanute , Kansas. You can see artifacts from their travels, read fascinating snippets about their wanderlust life, and get an inside look at the tribes and people that welcomed and entrusted this adventurous couple into their world to be some of the first photojournalists to document the cultural diversity amongst humanity.

The museum is in downtown Chanute where you can find local retail gems, a classic car collection at Howard’s Toys for Big Boys , eateries (I had a delicious panini with hand-cut fries at The Outsiders Bar and Grill ), grab an ol’ fashioned soda at Cardinal Drug Store, or even a community-wide festival, like their Artist Alley Festival that spans several blocks. Be sure to stop and see the Google Earth street mural commemorating Chanute as the Center of Google Earth on Apple products at the intersection of Main and Lincoln.

As always, use the #ToTheStarsKS as you stop at these places so we can follow along!

Martin and Osa Safari Museum

The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum is located in Osa's hometown of Chanute, Kansas. The museum was founded in 1961 to preserve the…

Come out to Chanute and see all that this Southeast Kansas community has to offer!

Colby Sharples-Terry

Colby is a mother to 3 feral children who share their mother’s love of exploring Kansas. Colby enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, and a good ole Kansas cheeseburger joint. Raised in Northeast Kansas, Colby loves the rural & urban experiences Kansas has to offer.  Before joining the state Tourism Division 7 years ago, she was a regional manager in the beauty industry where her love to travel across Kansas began.

Martin and Osa Johnson

In the 1920s and 1930s, the names of Martin and Osa Johnson were synonymous with African safaris or adventures in the South Seas.  Osa added glamour to the adventure.  They called themselves "Motion Picture Explorers," attempting to accurately photograph wildlife in its habitat. They shaped the way Americans in the first half of the twentieth century viewed Africa.

Osa Helen Leighty, the daughter of William Sherman Leighty and Ruby Isabelle Holman, was born in Chanute. She first encountered Martin Johnson as he was photographing her younger brother. She was unimpressed by the photographer. She was more concerned that her three-year-old brother sit still so they could be on their way. Johnson had traveled to Chanute from Independence to sell photographs at a penny each. The chance meeting marked the beginning of an adventurous partnership that made Kansas history.

Johnson spent the next several years traveling with author and adventurer Jack London and taking photographs in exotic places in the South Pacific. When he returned to Kansas in 1910, he traveled to Chanute to lecture and show his slides at an evening performance. The singer, who was hired to provide musical entertainment for that performance, was a friend of Leighty's and arranged a formal introduction between the two.

Leighty was not certain about him. She found Johnson's photos of cannibals to be disturbing. Nonetheless, 16-year-old Leighty was drawn to Johnson, 10 years her senior. The two dated for three weeks and got married on a whim on May 15, 1910. To avoid having the marriage annulled by her father, who was less than pleased, Martin and Osa traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, for a second wedding.

The couple planned to move to Independence, Kansas, and operate the Snark theaters, but Martin could not shake off his overwhelming desire to travel and photograph people, wildlife, and natural habitats. At first Osa had no interest in such a life, but Martin finally convinced her to give it a try. They left for their first trip to the South Seas in 1917. With Martin behind the camera, Osa kept watch for threatening wildlife. Their first movie, Among the Cannibals of the South Pacific, premiered on July 21, 1918. Their second movie, Jungle Adventures , opened in 1921. They made their first trip to Africa in 1921 and were so enchanted with the abundance of wildlife that they made repeated trips.

It was Osa who directed camp life— laying in supplies, providing for their comfort, and overseeing the preparations of meals. She loved to hunt and fish and secured plentiful supplies of fresh meat through her prowess with the rod and gun. Sometimes when Martin was photographing in potentially dangerous situations she stood by the camera, gun in hand, ready to protect her husband. Once, as Martin was photographing a herd of rhinoceroses, one of the animals caught wind of them and charged directly at Martin. With her trademark calmness, Osa raised her rifle, shot, and killed the charging rhino. Martin never missed a second of the action, capturing the dramatic moment on film.

On a 1929 trip to Africa, they sailed down the Nile into northern Uganda. During this trip, they made the first motion picture of pygmies. As a result of continuing on into the Serengeti Plains, they made another film entitled Simba . In 1930 the Johnsons went into the Belgian Congo where they made the first historical survey of the mountain gorilla. From this trip came the film, Congorillia , the first sound picture made in Africa.

In 1932 the Johnsons learned to fly at the airfield in Osa's hometown of Chanute. With pilot's licenses in hand, they purchased two airplanes and set off for Africa. Piloting Osa's Ark , Osa flew over the savannas of Africa to photograph the wildlife from the air. The Johnsons were the first pilots to fly over Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya in Africa. Later, they took their aircraft to Borneo and flew over the interior of the island photographing wildlife and native peoples.

Following each trip, Osa and Martin would return to the United States to lecture showing their movies and telling of their travels. The Johnsons prided themselves on the natural accuracy of their movies. Rarely was the action staged and usually it was unpredictable. Osa and Martin never had children, but Osa was rarely seen without one of her pet monkeys riding on her shoulder. With the help of a ghost writer, Osa recorded her life story in the book I Married Adventure .

Together, Osa and Martin made eight feature movies, shot thousands of photographs, published nine books, and traveled thousands of miles presenting lectures and showing their films.Their collaborative writing includes Cannibal Land , Camera Trails in Africa , Lion , Congorilla , and Over African Jungles . Independently Osa wrote a number of children's books and magazine articles, but she is best known for I Married Adventure , which was listed in The Best Books of the Decade, 1936-1945 .

Martin never failed to acknowledge Osa's contribution to their adventurous work. In the book Cannibal Land he wrote, "I thought, as I have thought many, many times in the nine years we have gone about together, how lucky I was. Osa had all the qualities that go to make an ideal traveling companion for an explorer—pluck, endurance, cheerfulness under discomfort." Lowell Thomas summed up their relationship when he wrote, "It was a rare team they made, this partnership between two handsome people from Kansas. Indeed in the annals of travel and exploration, they were unique."

In 1937, following a two-year trip to Borneo, the Johnsons were once more lecturing around the U.S. Traveling from Salt Lake City to California, the commercial plane on which they were traveling crashed during a thunderstorm. Martin died from his injuries. Osa, though badly injured, continued their planned tour lecturing from a wheelchair.

Following Martin's death, Osa continued lecturing, writing, and producing motion pictures. Osa was planning a return visit to East Africa when she suffered a heart attack and died in 1953 in New York City. Osa and Martin are buried in Chanute. The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute now holds many of their photographs and personal memorabilia.

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Entry: Johnson, Martin and Osa

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: June 2003

Date Modified: December 2012

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.

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Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

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111 N Lincoln Ave

Chanute, KS 66720

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Osa Martin J.

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The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum is located in Osa's hometown of Chanute, Kansas...Formed in 1961 to preserve the Johnsons' achievements and to encourage further research into their fields of study, the Safari Museum® (as it was originally named) has grown and flourished...The museum started with a core collection of the Johnsons' films, photographs, manuscripts, articles, books, and personal belongings donated by Osa's mother. …

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Small museum with an amazing story of love and adventure! Martin and Osa Johnson's story from the small towns of Chanute & Independence, Kansas to Hollywood and New York on the big screens is one truly amazing adventure. But their adventures in remote locations of the world is just as incredible. If you've ever seen a Tarzan movie then you've seen wild animal and tribe footage of Martin and Osa's work. They're story is given , along with wonderful artifacts and personal items. Take your time in here and be sure to watch the long version film they offer. ALSO, don't miss making a visit to their gravesite (just ask for directions from the folks at the museum). A hidden story in a small town well worth making a drive to.

We were early getting into Chanute today so I searched for something to see. Not much in this little town but did see a Museum so I decided to take the boys here. They were a little apprehensive to go but said that was fine. Free parking when we arrived and I guess on Saturday it's free to enter. The lady at the desk took us in to watch a short video. Although I wasn't sure I wanted to watch it, it really is a must see. You understand so much as you walk through the museum with that short 10 min video. It's really a must see if you are not familiar with what the museum is all about. The best part of this was my boys really enjoyed it. From the interactive musical instruments you are allowed to play with and the gong which they hit multiple times, they really had a good time.

See all photos from Bill D. for Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

This is the greatest museum in all of Kansas! It's such an incredible story of two incredible people, there are so many firsts - including the first film footage of cannibals, but all of it is beyond impressive. Conrad the curator has become our friend, as our great uncle Kenny is from Chanute and lived here all his life. The gift shop is a must stop, and make sure to watch the movie, they truly are an incredible couple. Between this and the fact that Octave Chanute was instrumental in the Wright brothers quest for flight, Chanute Kansas has more history than most towns in the United States. Friendly, informative, well curated, and adjacent to the library - call and make sure that someone is there and give yourself at least an hour to make your way through the stunning exhibitions. After you've explored, and had your own intellectual Safari, take a rest on uncle Kenny's bench out front of the museum. He was one of Chanute Kansas's foremost intellectuals, and one of the kindest, most incredible men to have ever lived. It is very fitting that he is memorialized on a bench for thinking; outside of this incredible museum. He explored the Safari of life with vigor, voraciousness, and vitality. He will always be remembered in Chanute and this museum will always have a special place in the Olson, Davis and Miller families' heart. I've bought all the movies and almost all the items you can buy in the gift shop, and they have been a delight to watch and gift to other fellow Kansas natives (and non-natives alike!). Long live Martin and Osa Johnson! Long live the memory of our great uncle Kenny! May their memories live on! A must see if you are within one to ten thousand miles of Chanute, Hope to see you there! -tj&k8 Miller

See all photos from t.j. m. for Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

What a little gem of a museum in a small Kansas town. Kids will love the masks from different tribes and the photos will fascinate adults. Everything from monkeys to cannibals.

The safari museum in Chanute is not only a fantastic tribute to Martin and Osa but is also quite informative about their travels and the culture of what they filmed, the staff is courteous, knowledgeable and entertaining. Nestled in the heart of Chanute which is a town rich with history, the museum is the centerpiece of the town. It host many artifacts from around the world and the photos and displays are exciting as well as educational. The safari museum is perfect for anyone of any age who is interested in adventure, travel and history..... 10 stars all the way......

It's no Smithsonian. Come on, it's in a town of 10K, 2 hours from any "real" city. Fact of the matter is, small museums like this are only open to the public only as a matter of course. Most of their traffic is going to be from biographers or people wanting specific references which only this location has. And the odd school group with nothing better to do. It's a matter of preserving history so people can learn from it. If you've seen "A Series of Unfortunate Events", you've seen a photo of the Johnsons. Traveled to the National Air and Space Museum in DC? There's a small corner dedicated to these adventurous film-makers. This museum is more than it appears. You have to understand. Martin and Osa lived at the turn of the century. Their ways of thinking and conversing we're vastly different that those of today. If you want history candy-coated, you don't want history. You want a happy story, and you're not going to find that in the non-fiction section. The Johnsons' films and books are often condescending in the way they speak of people of color, shocking in the wastefulness of the cost of animal lives. It's history. Unvarnished history. Get over it and learn from it. When you know better, DO better. These are two amazing individuals with a wonderful story to tell. The exhibits are informative, the staff friendly and knowledgeable, with many wonderful anecdotes. Browse in the gift shop, and pick up a copy of "I Married Adventure".

We'd read about this place in a book on day trips in Kansas and Missouri, checked out their website and decided to give it a whirl. First, the picture of the building is very deceiving. The building pictured does indeed house the Safari Museum, but it also houses the Chanute Library which takes up most of the building. The museum itself is very small and consists mostly of a bunch of African masks that are not labeled to provide any information regarding how old they were or where in Africa they were from. We were also shown an old VHS video of a TV news magazine story that was almost shocking as the footage showed Osa Johnson shooting animals that are now endangered. Apparently, these folks were big adventurers and were perhaps the first wildlife videographers, but they didn't treat their subjects respectfully and the museum that is supposed to honor them is a major disappointment.

May 24, 2012

In all fairness to the Safari Museum they do an incredible job with very little money. Open daily. Regular changing exhibits. Programs popular with kids. Nationwide traveling exhibits. Projects with large organizations including Disney. Partnerships with museums overseas. State & national awards. To clarify the ten minute History Channel segment is on dvd. Sure, not everyone is a fan of African culture. But the Safari Museum has one of the finest African art collections in the country including the largest publicly held collection in the world of Mende women's dance society masks. Most objects have labels with country and province of origin. Plus there is an exhibit guidebook with lots more info. No museum has done more to share the Johnsons inspiring story thru preservation and research of collections, republication of Johnson books and dvd release of Johnson movies.

Cute little museum. Lots of items for the kiddos to touch and experience, including musical instruments. We like the gift shop, too! Items range from small dollar trinkets for the kids to take home, to beautiful pieces I would display in my home. The story of Martin & Osa's adventures is inspiring to young and old alike!

I've only driven around the outside of the museum, as it was closed the day I was in town visiting distant relatives some years ago. My mother and her family lived in Chanute on S. Malcolm Street in 1928-1933. My grandfather was a plane enthusiast, and knew the Johnsons. Here is what my late mother told me, " Osa Johnson and her husband Martin, lived further south on Malcolm Street in a small brick house on the corner of the block. On returning from trips to Africa, they flew into Chanute airport with sea planes, etc. used in their explorations. Had an air circus one time when they came. A family friend from Topeka flew down for it and took me up with him and 4 other people. Dad flew with some one else. Must have been 40 or 50 planes up at one time. Bill had a siren on his which added to the confusion. I was scared to death. I must have been in 4th or 5th grade." The Johnsons were a big deal in my family history. They offered a window into the outside world that people could only imagine, when most people could only think in their lives of quiet desperation about the price of wheat. I was thinking of trying to visit again, but it is a long way from Connecticut. Based upon the comments, I'll probably pass unless my travels take me through Chanute. Yes, the Johnson's were probably prejudiced, as were my grandparents about people of color and religion. Their own grandparents and other relatives fought (and some died or lost fingers) in the Civil War and bloody Kansas. They grew up not knowing a black person and few women who were in business or educated. They lived as the times were in 1928, same as the pilgrims of Plymouth-who were terribly prejudiced and cruel to others but who we still celebrate. Just a while ago, we ourselves were told eggs were bad for us and now they seem to be the miracle food. Every generation is "brainwashed" in various ways. The point is, that the museum is useful and educational to see and understand how people lived in other times, even if moires are different in the time we presently live in. History repeats itself, and if you don't understand history, people, countries, and the world will be the loser.

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Martin and Osa Johnson

Safari museum.

+1 (620) 431-2730

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Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (0.07 mi) Tioga Extended Stay Hotel
• (1.26 mi) Santa Fe Safari Campground
• (2.53 mi) Knights Inn Chanute
• (1.43 mi) Guest House Motel
• (2.60 mi) Super 8 by Wyndham Chanute
• (0.08 mi) Little China
• (0.09 mi) Cardinal Drug Store
• (0.08 mi) Java Junction
• (0.11 mi) Opie's Pizza and Grill
• (0.22 mi) The Grain Bin Restaurant

• [email protected]
• 620.585.2374

8 Wonders of Kansas people

Martin and osa johnson, chanute.

Address: 111 N. Lincoln, Chanute, KS 66720 Phone: 620.431.2730 Website: www.safarimuseum.com

Their photographs represent one of the great contributions to the pictorial history of the globe  providing important ethnological and zoological material. Their legacy is a record of the peoples and animals of remote areas of the world that have long since vanished.

Martin was brave, daring, sincere and epitomized the Kansas values of hard work and resourcefulness. He was a master filmmaker who pioneered wildlife cinematography in some of the most untamed regions of the world. He was also a showman who knew how to fill theaters with audiences eager to see films of his latest adventures.

Together, Martin and Osa Johnson were acclaimed filmmakers, photographers and explorers. They authored 20 books, published over 100 articles and produced 35 films.They were Kansas heroes who brought the adventure and fascination of Africa and the South Pacific into the homes of millions of Americans.

Osa continued to write books and produce films until her death from heart disease in January of 1953. She was the first person to produce a wildlife series on television. Her Big Game Hunt premiered eight years before Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom . She also designed a cutting-edge sports fashion line called Osafari .

The Johnsons are buried in Chanute.

Source: www.safarimuseum.com

POINTS OF INTEREST ABOUT MARTIN & OSA JOHNSON IN KANSAS CHANUTE

The Martin And Osa Johnson Safari Museum Is A Little Known Unique Destination In Kansas That's So Interesting

Lisa Sammons

Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at [email protected]

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The little town of Chanute is in eastern Kansas and has a population of just under 9,000. It’s pretty far from the wilds of Africa, but you’ll find one of the best museums in Kansas here that’s focused on just that. Martin and Osa Johnson were a married pair of explorers who both grew up in Kansas. They traveled the African continent extensively in the early 20th century and amazed the public with their writings, photographs, and videos. They were some of the best-known explorers of the time period and provided a wealth of information to fascinated Americans back home. The museum named for them in Chanute is filled with artifacts and pictures from their trips.

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For more information about the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum, check out the museum’s website and Facebook page .

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Chanute, Kansas : Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

Martin and Osa made silent-movie adventure travelogues, and came home with trophies such as a can made from an elephant's leg.

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Pros and cons. We found this museum via the signs, which look new. The town itself is not bad (lots of animal statues around) and the museum looked huge when we parked, but it is mainly just a fraction of the second floor, as the building houses the city library and some of the museum is just rooms, offices, and a movie-viewing area. Very good if you like African masks and items, also South Seas objects.

We picked up some info and read more online after we left, and were surprised to see that the Johnsons, at least early on, were financed by an institution that was big into eugenics. Also, many of Mr. Johnson's claims were exaggerated: they weren't the first whites in that Pacific area, there were no escapes from wild cannibals, gentle gorillas were portrayed as bloodthirsty beasts, etc. The poaching for the sake of a good shot disturbed us. Osa Johnson gladly gave her name to a lion-hunting television series. I would say, visit if you like foreign/exotic objects and other cultures, but take the claims with a big dose of salt.

As for the films: they do show locales which have vastly changed, but for "exciting adventure films" they are dull. Seeing Mrs. Johnson's obvious love of wearing animal skins might freak out some kids. The museum is trying to expand in the form of projects about hiking and winter sports, so maybe the Johnson tales are wearing thin.

People are being a little hard on the museum here. It isn't perhaps as large as a person from a larger city might expect. but for a child growing up in Chanute in the early '60s it was interesting and, perhaps more importantly, gave me a lifelong love of museums that I might not have discovered otherwise.

Good point -- and there may be life-changing nuggets awaiting discovery in the Safari Museum. For example, the Blood Brother Drinking Cup , a gift from the Tsou Peoples of Formosa!

We had to travel to Ft Leavenworth for a conference and thought we'd stop at this museum dedicated to silent film era travelogue makers Martin and Osa Johnson. It wasn't too bad -- we thought it would have been much larger. The website (www.safarimuseum.com) makes it look as if it's the National Archives of Adventure, but the Museum has to share the depot with the city library.

Be warned, they love adding the prefix "Safari" onto things.

There are some African masks to look at, and an almost-lifesize Safari-replica of Mr and Mrs Johnson at a camp, but we actually enjoyed the gift shop more than the museum! They carry some nice jewelry and African style animal items.

What did get under our Safari-skin was their newsletter, something with the odd name of WaitaBit News. I assume it's an inside Safari-joke. Apparently the curator of this museum went to Malaysia to help another museum, and the article written by our Safari-curator was pretty offensive. She repeatedly referred to tourists as "dumb" and "stupid."

The gift shop person was nice, though. They will show some free movies made by the Johnsons if you ask. It was an interesting diversion off the road to K.C. Plus it's apparently open seven Safari-days a week. They tell invite you to (no kidding here) "Safari on in" for a visit. Geez...

The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum is a very cool travel destination in a very neat old timey railroad town. I don't understand how anyone could visit it and not be inspired by the two explorers celebrated within it's walls. Yes, today the films are certainly not politically correct, but in their time they must have been amazing -- and I would say quite shocking in their approach to other peoples. Martin and Osa recorded the very first sound film in Africa; imagine, before TV, before most Americans ever ventured beyond our own shores, to sit in a movie theater and hear a gorilla beat its chest, the roar of the lion, the songs of the indigenous peoples. That alone must have inspired generations of ethnographers and zoologists and fostered a global awareness in countless others. The Johnsons did in fact have to shoot some animals; no doubt provoked when, not armed with telephoto lenses, they ventured in too close to film. But in the greater scheme of things it should be remembered the Johnsons were the very FIRST wildlife filmmakers and are credited for inventing the film genre most people adore: the wildlife documentary. The work the Johnsons did to promote environmental awareness and the acceptance of other cultures should be heralded and it's a real shame these pioneering naturalists are not given their fair credit in the history books.

I saw your descriptions and hate to tell you, the museum has the dreaded, tacky Elephant Leg Can after all! Disappointing in a way. Museum displays them with pilots' helmets ready to fly off to another adventure, yet, though they had licenses, they never actually flew their planes.

Hailed as conservationists, yet angered animals to shoot them and make them appear dangerous to audiences, stuck flares in the fire of "savages" to scare them off to get photos, and actually tear-gassed some apes out of their habitat to film them. Filmed Osa shooting animals, "saving Martin's life at the last second," but a gunman was actually behind her doing the shooting.

Chanute goes Johnson Nuts every year, I was there one year, and all I could think was, "I guess a nowhere town like this has to do SOMETHING to justify its existence." Films they show are silly at best, white supremacist at worst. If shooting animals for the sake of a film is your idea of fun, don't miss it. Otherwise save your bucks for the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson.

May 2007: Conrad Froehlich of the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum responds to L. Galbreath's comments about the Johnsons: 1) Yes, Martin and Osa as well as others did pilot their two Sikorsky amphibious planes and 2) no, they did not tear-gas gorillas. It was the need to film at close range (lacking zoom lenses in the 1920s and 30s) and high animal densities in that era that led to a few dangerous animal encounters. For protection of human life there was certainly a need to have more than one person with a rifle but Osa was indeed an exceptional marksman. And, I suppose this seems obvious, the Johnsons' movies were not made according to modern P.C. standards."

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