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.
Martin and Osa Johnson may not be household names today, but they were quite the pair back in their day. The married couple traveled the world extensively in the first few decades of the 20th century.
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum The pair traveled Africa and studied the tribes that lived there as well as native wildlife. They filmed several documentaries and wrote many books about their journeys.
The museum named for them opened in 1961, nearly a decade after Osa Johnson’s death of a heart attack. (Martin Johnson died due to injuries sustained in a plane crash in 1937.) It’s located right next to the Chanute Public Library.
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At the Safari Museum, you’ll find a treasure trove of artifacts the Johnsons brought back from their travels to Africa, the South Pacific Islands, and British North Borneo.
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The Johnsons took over 15,000 photographs during their expeditions, many of which can now be viewed at the museum.
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum/Facebook
The museum’s collection has expanded over the years and now contains West African art and artifacts from a number of different tribes.
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In a world where international travel is accessible to many, it’s so strange to think about an average couple’s travels capturing the public’s imagination the way the Johnsons did. It’s fascinating to see all the relics and photographs they brought back 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.
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
The pair traveled Africa and studied the tribes that lived there as well as native wildlife. They filmed several documentaries and wrote many books about their journeys.
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Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum/Facebook
William Shirley/Google Local
Emily Alden/Google Local
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Address: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum, 111 N Lincoln Ave, Chanute, KS 66720, USA
