Founded in 1825, this rough and rugged frontier town still offers a chance to experience first hand what it was like to live on the edge of civilization. Peer into the dark and chilly two foot thick limestone walls of a cell in the 1859…Read More

Founded in 1825, this rough and rugged frontier town still offers a chance to experience first hand what it was like to live on the edge of civilization. Peer into the dark and chilly two foot thick limestone walls of a cell in the 1859 Jail, 217 N. Main, which housed famous outlaws. Tour the 1827 Log Courthouse, 107 W. Kansas, built of sturdy black walnut, or learn about pioneer life at the carefully restored Pioneer Spring Cabin, Truman and Noland.
Take a narrated tour in a swaying covered wagon past Civil War sites, historic homes, and the still visible wagon swales cut by the wooden wheels of thousands of wagons heading west. Stroke the fur pelts like the ones mountain men tanned and hear the words of travelers who followed the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails from Independence at the National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific.
Wander through the many impressive rooms at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific, furnished with countless unique artifacts and treasures original to the families who lived there. Wonder at the elegance and majesty of the opulent Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty, known as the House of Gold, adorned with 9 marble fireplace mantles, hand painted ceilings and tastefully crafted woodwork.
Stop in at the fascinating restored 1879 two story Chicago and Alton Depot, 318 W. Pacific, which houses not only antique railroad artifacts, but the upstairs living quarters of the station master. Don’t forget the historic Truman Depot just down the street, which President Harry S. Truman and his wife used many times as he traveled back and forth to Washington. Truman’s Courtroom , Main and Lexington, with an audio-visual slide show at the historic Jackson County courthouse just inside is also open for touring.
A modest two story white Victorian home at 219 N. Delaware Street was the home of Bess and later the home of Harry and Bess until their deaths. Everything has been kept just as it was when they lived there, including Harry’s hat, coat and cane hanging in the front entry. (
The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 U. S. 24 Highway is a must-see, with major audio visual interactive displays and exhibits, "decision" theaters, a replica of the Oval Office, monumental movies about the life and presidency of Truman, gravesites of Harry and Bess, and children’s activities on the lower level.
Visitors can also investigate the incredible story of the Mormon pioneers who settled in the city during the 1830s at several religious legacy sites. The Community of Christ Temple, 201 S. River and Auditorium, 1001 W. Walnut, offer tours, free organ concerts, artwork and a children’s hands on museum known as the Children’s Peace Pavilion. The newly renovated Mormon Visitors Center, 937 W. Walnut, offers many exhibits and displays which are highly interactive and feature cutting edge technology. This free attraction is open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You can even learn about the history of puppets and marionettes in the many displays of both at the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner. All ages enjoy the chances to view puppets from around the world. For a small additional fee, children can select a puppet head, paint and clothe it and stage an impromptu show.
The history of a Victorian art form using human hair is illustrated by thousands of pieces of jewelry and art work made of hair at Leila’s Hair Museum, 1333 S. Noland, the only one of its kind in the world. The collection includes over 2,000 pieces of art and jewelry made partially or entirely from human hair.
History seems to come alive in the charming bed and breakfasts and in the quaint antique and gift stores lining the streets of the square area surrounding the historic Jackson County Courthouse. Free brochures for marked walking trails (Mormon History and Truman legacy sites) follow bronze sidewalk plaques through leafy shaded streets and around the square or follow the Civil War driving tour (also with free brochure) . For an eye opening pioneer experience, take a covered wagon historical tour of the city with Pioneer Trails Adventures, operating from the Square year-round (weather permitting).
The Midwest Genealogy Center, largest free standing public genealogy library in the nation, is a major draw for those searching their family trees. And the newly opened (November 2009) Independence Events Center is home to the professional Missouri Mavericks Hockey team and venue for concerts ranging from Disney to Kenny Rogers to Riverdance, as well as a community ice rink.
Lodging information, a calendar of events and current Visitor Guides are online at www.visitindependence.com.

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I prayed for peace in Tanzania. I prayed for successful peacemaking efforts around the world. I heard the organ pipes play and voices rise in song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth." I was seated in a sanctuary where each day a different country…Read More

I prayed for peace in Tanzania. I prayed for successful peacemaking efforts around the world. I heard the organ pipes play and voices rise in song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth." I was seated in a sanctuary where each day a different country is selected for reflection in the Daily Prayer for Peace. On this day, two pre-teen girls, accompanied by their mom, led the service in observation of the United Nations Youth Day. They read scripture, offered a prayer, sang the hymn, and became quiet to allow silent meditation. This brief experience happened in the emblem of peace for the world, the Temple Sanctuary of the Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri.
From the Campus RV Park in Independence where we parked the Prevost, the spire of the Temple rose high about the tree line shining in the August sun like a silver needle poking through a bright blue fabric. This architectural masterpiece is home to the World Headquarters of the Community of Christ, an international denomination with 250,000 members in more than 50 countries. Persons of all faiths are welcome to the Temple which was dedicated in 1994 to the "pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit."
The bright light in the Temple entrance showed off a row of international flags along the hallway and many colorful tapestries hanging from a balcony terrace. This initial brightness lasts only until you enter the doors leading to the Worshiper’s Path. These lights are dim here to allow time for reflection at each stop point before reaching the Sanctuary. Symbolic artwork along the Path includes a carved-glass entrance of a grove of trees and a granite sculpture of the return of the prodigal son. A rough-hewn cross proclaims the risen Christ. Ikebana-style floral arrangements symbolize heaven, humanity and earth. And, water flows over a granite pool representing the overflowing of God’s love. The light grows brighter at each station until finally, the grandeur of the Sanctuary overcomes you.
Most impressive is the Sanctuary’s spiral ceiling which rises 195 feet. Looking at it, I felt that if were to rise up to its peak, I’d surely float to heaven. That is exactly the effect the designers wanted "to focus on the Divine." I felt certain that our prayers for peace that afternoon went direct to heaven.
After participating in the Daily Prayer for Peace, I joined a small tour of the Temple. I walked the Worshiper’s Path again, this time with narration explaining the significance of the art. In the sanctuary my guide warned, "You can become dizzy staring up to the pinnacle." I had already learned this lesson.
He pointed out the 102-rank, 5,685-pipe organ in the Sanctuary that has pipes ranging in size from six inches to 32 feet. He invited us to attend one of the organ recitals beginning at 3 PM daily. He called attention to the award-winning stained glass window depicting the harvest of wheat and rice. He took our small group outside to the World Plaza where we walked on a brick inlaid map of the world. We sat in Meditation Chapel which overlooks a Japanese garden. There he answered questions about the Community of Christ and its founder Joseph Smith, Jr. Our group tour ended in the Library where some folks wanted to see the Doctrines and Covenants relating to the Church.
I was the only person who wanted to see the adjacent Auditorium. My guide graciously accommodated my interest in seeing more. He led me thorough an underground passageway connecting the Temple to the Auditorium.
The Auditorium features a 5,800-seat Conference Chamber with seating in-the-round beneath an expansive domed ceiling measuring 90 feet from the floor, 214 feet wide, and 168 feet long. The 111-rank organ here is among the largest free-standing organs in the United States with 6,500 pipes ranging from ¼ inch to 32 feet. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman made history in the Auditorium by signing Executive Order 9981 to desegregate the United States armed forces. Now, the Auditorium functions as a religious, cultural and community center for the Kansas City region.
In addition to the Auditorium and Temple tour, there was still more to experience at the Community of Christ World Headquarters. A small museum houses 17 exhibits tracing the history of the Church from its origins in the 1820’s to its world missions today.
And, then back in the lobby, the tapestries themselves are particularly important. They represent "The Thread Project" – an international exhibition by Terry Helwig. The threads in each tapestry were pulled from the fabric of people’s everyday lives: threads celebrating births and marriage, threads from 9/11 families…over 50,000 threads gathered in 70 countries and seven continents. Then, Helwig enlisted weavers and textile artists worldwide to create the tapestries from these threads. The result of this seven year project is the creation of one World Cloth – a reminder that the human race is a global family of one, united by a common thread.
The Community of Christ World Headquarters merits a slow paced visit to absorb all it encompasses – architecture, art, history, meditation and prayer. When you go there, peace will be with you.


Community of Christ World Headquarters
1001 W. Walnut Street
Independence, MO 64050
816-833-1000
www.CofChrist.org

Campus RV Park
406 S. Pleasant Road
Independence, MO
816-254-1815
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