The Toy and Miniature Museum Was Once a Residence, Pt. 2

A little bit on the history of the house itself…  It was originally the home of Dr. Herbert Tureman and his wife, Marie.  It was bequeathed to UMKC in 1964 and was originally used as office space for alumni programs, community relations, fund-raising, and conference and meeting rooms for alumni and constituent groups before becoming the Toy and Miniature Museum…

Dining room in Tureman House with original furniture.  House later became the Toy and Miniature Museum.  UMKC campus.
Dining room in Tureman House with original furniture. House later became the Toy and Miniature Museum. UMKC campus.
Front entry hall of Tureman House with original furniture.  House later because Toy and Miniatrue museum.  UMKC Campus.
Front entry hall of Tureman House with original furniture. House later because Toy and Miniatrue museum. UMKC Campus.
Sun room in Tureman House with original furniture.  House later became Toy and Miniature Museum.  UMKC Campus.
Sun room in Tureman House with original furniture. House later became Toy and Miniature Museum. UMKC Campus.

The Toy and Miniature Museum Was Once a Residence….

In honor of the Toy and Miniature Museum’s upcoming reopening it seems a good time to feature some photos of the time when the museum was a residence: the Tureman House….

Front of Tureman House -- A.K.A. the Toy and Miniature Museum, UMKC Campus.  Snow covering house and front lawn.
Front of Tureman House — A.K.A. the Toy and Miniature Museum, UMKC Campus. Snow covering house and front lawn.
Back of Tureman House showing garage and vintage car.  House now the Toy and Miniature Museum, UMKC campus
Back of Tureman House showing garage and vintage car. House now the Toy and Miniature Museum, UMKC campus
Interior of room in Tureman House with original furniture.  House currently the Toy and Miniature Museum.  UMKC Campus
Interior of room in Tureman House with original furniture. House currently the Toy and Miniature Museum. UMKC Campus

Countdown to Commencement

As the school year comes to a close many of UMKC’s students prepare to graduate, say farewell to their time here, and plan the next phases of their lives. While we in the University Archives do spend time looking forward as well, now seemed to be a good time to look back to Commencement Ceremonies of years past….

In 1936, UKC, as the university was then known, held its first Commencement exercises in June.  Of the 76 graduates in that first class, the oldest and the youngest graduates were singled out for the photograph below.  Edith Bruen, the oldest graduate, is on the left; notably, her age was not actually given in the press release, only the fact that she was a “grandmother”.  Clementine Templin, the youngest graduate at 20, is on the right.  You may notice the black circle on the photograph.  In the days before digital images and photo editing software, original prints were marked or retouched before printing.  In this case, the original photo editor wanted the image to be cropped in a circle.  As we do not have the original negative nor any extra, untouched, prints, this photo is permanently defaced.

First Graduating Class Oldest and Youngest

The 1945 Commencement was a special affair for UKC. That year the school bestowed an honorary degree in Doctor of Laws to President Harry Truman. Truman had briefly attended the Kansas City School of Law in 1924.  By 1938 that same independent law school merged with UKC. At the time of this photo, the increased attendance for the special commencement ceremonies required the graduation be held in Municipal Auditorium for the first time.

Harry Truman

Of course, while commencement is a solemn occasion, it is also a time of joy and levity… just ask these card players….

Graduate Card Sharks

I wonder if they managed to finish their game before they were called up to the stage to accept their diplomas….