Monday, May 16, 2011

New Local History Museum in Reno County

 

     It’s very, very small.

     It’s in Arlington, Kansas, eighteen miles southwest of Hutchinson.  Located in Joe Fehr’s old hardware store, at the southwest corner of Main Street (Arlington Road) and Algona Street.  103 West Main Street.  Otherwise known as the Arlington Trading Company, a beautifully-restored antique store. 

     Look for the unofficial “Arlington History Museum”  at the front counter, near the cash register.   A special glass case atop the counter, measuring about one by three feet.

     “People bring us things,”  said Mark Schaffter, owner, with his wife Sally.  “If you look carefully, it’s a little history of the area, with people’s names written on ribbons they’ve won, messages they’ve found, or programs from churches or schools.  From the tickets, programs and clippings, you can learn a lot about what life was like way back when.”

     The Arlington Trading Company usually has weekend hours.  They are always open by appointment, by calling (620) 538 2416 or 538 3135.

                      arlington tradio angle                                                              

The Arlington Trading Company, an antique store in downtown Arlington which houses the tiny Arlington History Museum. 

arlington corner

This corner photograph is from before it was repainted last year.

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