The
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth,
Kansas opened three years ago with few items and
little money to run a gift shop. Through the
hard work and perseverance of volunteer manager
Nancy Klemp of the Leavenworth Area Association
of Retired School Personnel, the museum now has
a gift shop that is an integral part of the
museum organization.
In
the beginning the museum had trouble coming up
with enough money to stock and man the gift
shop. Nancy was able to marshal people into
action collecting donated items and small
initial cash donations enabling her to buy a
limited stock to sell to museum visitors. As
the shop gained recognition and the museum had
more visitors she was able to acquire books and
paintings from local & Kansas City authors and
artists; carousel related books, items,
beautiful carousel horse prints; and prints of
the murals from the Court House. One of her
volunteers carves small carousel horses, which
are sold nationally, and he has agreed to keep a
grouping of these beautiful horses on display
there at the gift shop.
Leavenworth residents and the community are
enriched by the efforts of Nancy and her
approximately 30 volunteers. These dedicated
volunteers have helped something of value gain
an important position in their community. These
volunteers also help demonstrate that Nancy and
the other Leavenworth Area Association of
Retired School Personnel members who volunteer
are indeed community treasures.
Information
furnished by Leavenworth Area Association of
Retired School Personnel member.
