Liberty Tour

When: October 12 – 16, 2010

With host Paul Warner

Day One, October 12th.

Our tour begins in Kansas City as we visit the fascinating Arabia Museum and see hundreds of artifacts that were found over 150 years after the Arabia side-wheel steamboat sank in the Missouri River in 1856. Bottles, Buttons, Shoes and much, much more, will give you a glimpse into the lives of those pioneers heading west on a dangerous river. Then we will travel to Independence and review the 1831-33 Jackson County experiences of the early LDS colony before viewing the Community of Christ Temple, LDS Visitors Center and the Church of Christ Temple lot. This evening we visit one of the finest Presidential Libraries—the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. View Harry S. Truman’s Oval Office and watch a film displaying the challenges faced by the 33rd President of the United States. Get to know Harry S. Truman as a person and President with nearly 30,000 exhibits. We will finish the evening by driving past one of the largest battle sites of the Civil War west of the Mississippi. Overnight near Kansas City.

Day Two, October 13th

This morning we visit Liberty Jail where meaningful experiences of the “temple prison” are shared. Just a few miles north of Liberty we will stop at Kearney, MO. This small town is the home of the Jesse James Farm House and Museum where Jesse James was first buried to discourage grave robbers. A short film will give you an introduction to the James brothers and their gang. While in this area, we will stop at Far West and see the cornerstones of a temple that was never completed, then travel north for a stop at Adam-ondi-Ahman. The afternoon will be spent in Jamesport, home to the largest Amish Community this side of the Mississippi. The town flourished in the 19th century until the main railroad route across the heartland was constructed through Kansas City, leaving towns like Jamesport off the beaten path and slowly fading into history. We will take a tour of the Amish Community that will include an Amish local explaining the life-style of the Amish and Mennonites who live there. We will then have dinner at a local restaurant operated by an authentic Mennonite family. Overnight near Jamesport. (B & D)

Day Three, October 14th

This day after a stop at Haun’s Mill, we drive to the little town of Hamilton, the home of one of the greatest retailers in the Midwest – Mr. James Cash Penney, or JC Penney as you may know him. We Tour Penney’s boyhood Home and Museum to gain an understanding of his contributions to American retailing. Next we visit the childhood home of Gen. John J “Blackjack” Pershing, one of America’s greatest military leaders. In 1917, Pershing was sent to France as Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and two years later was named General of the Armies of the United States by a special act of Congress. Heading east our next stop is the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. This is the first museum dedicated to Walt & Roy Disney’ s life and their years in Marceline, MO. Letters, photographs and even Mickey Mouse dolls are on display. After a bite to eat, we will move on to Hannibal, which calls itself “America’s Hometown”. Here, the stories of Mark Twain will come to life. We will visit the Twain Museum and his Boyhood Home plus stand on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. The riverboats docked there will make us feel as though we have stepped back in time. We then cross the Mississippi River traveling north with a stop at Carthage to review the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in the solemn and sacred Carthage Jail. We will travel on to Nauvoo where we will spend 2 nights. (B)

Day Four, October 15th

In the morning we will enjoy a drive through Historic Nauvoo and together visit the Mansion House, Nauvoo House, Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith’s burial site, the Joseph Smith Homestead and the Red Brick Store leaving the afternoon as free time to explore the other sites and/or go to a Nauvoo Temple session. Other sites include the Seventies Hall, Cultural Hall, Webb Brothers Blacksmith Shop, The Visitors Center, the Wilford Woodruff Home, Browning Gun Shop, The Trail of Hope, Old Nauvoo Burial Ground, etc…. . We will conclude the day by enjoying a wonderful dinner together at the famous Hotel Nauvoo. (B & D)

Day Five, October 16th

We leave Nauvoo and continue on to Lincoln’s New Salem, a specially reconstructed village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early years. The six years Lincoln spent in New Salem formed a turning point in his career. Although he never owned a home here, Lincoln was engaged in a variety of activities while he was at New Salem. He clerked in a store, split rails, enlisted in the Black Hawk War, served as postmaster and deputy surveyor, failed in business, and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and 1836 after an unsuccessful try in 1832. We then move on for an afternoon in Springfield including the Presidential Museum, Lincoln Home & Visitors Center and experience the entire Lincoln story, including the Quaker-Brown residence where the Abraham Lincoln family lived for seventeen years, the Blue Room of the White House; an Indiana log cabin; Ford’s Theatre, etc. We will also see the L incoln Depot, where Abraham Lincoln gave his farewell speech as he departed for Washington, D.C. We can reflect on the importance Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President of the United States, played in the freedoms we enjoy today. There are many other attractions within walking distance of our downtown hotel in Springfield. (B)

Day Six, October 17th

We will have a portion of free time to explore other sites in Springfield that include a Civil War 150th Year Exhibition, Old State Capitol Historic Site and much more, before heading to St. Louis. We will have a Church Service on the bus. Our final experience will be at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which includes the famous St Louis Arch and Museum. The L ewis and Clark expedition is featured in the Museum. With hearts filled with appreciation for our American Heroes we will take an early evening flight home. (B)

	Double	Triple	Quad	Single
Tour Cost	$899	$822	$789	$1,129