Owens-Rogers Museum facts for kids
The Owens-Rogers Museum was once the home of Hollywood writer and producer Lela Rogers. It is also the birthplace and childhood home of her famous daughter, Ginger Rogers. Ginger was a well-known American actress, dancer, and singer. This house was a tourist attraction and museum located in Independence, Missouri, United States. This small house, built between 1906 and 1910, was designed in the craftsman style. Oscar Mindrup, a local real estate investor and city councilman, built it. Virginia Katherine McMath (Ginger) was born here on July 16, 1911. Her mother, Lela Owens McMath, was living apart from her husband at the time. The house is no longer a museum and closed in May 2020. A digital online version of the museum was created in 2020.
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Ginger Rogers' Early Life and Career
Lela Owens-McMath rented this home, and she and Ginger likely lived here for about four years. Lela wanted to have her baby at home. This was because she had a difficult experience with her first child's birth in a hospital. The day before Ginger was born, Lela had a job interview. On her way home, she went into labor. She stopped to call a doctor and met him at the house. Ginger was born the next day.
Lela later married John Rogers, and Ginger took his last name for her stage name. Lela became a scriptwriter, author, and producer. She was very involved in theater. Ginger appeared in her first newspaper ad when she was only 18 months old. She learned about vaudeville, a type of stage entertainment, by watching from backstage. At age 15, she won the Texas State Charleston Contest. She then became a Broadway star at 19. Soon after, she became a Hollywood film actress.
Lela Rogers was Ginger's agent and manager for most of her career. Ginger Rogers made 73 films. She also starred in Broadway shows, radio, and TV programs. She even had her own traveling nightclub act. Ginger Rogers is perhaps most famous for the ten films she made with Fred Astaire. However, she was a huge star even before they worked together. Ginger became one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in the 1940s.
Ginger's Visits to Her Hometown
Ginger visited her hometown several times during her life. In 1942, she visited the house during an interview with LIFE magazine. In 1964, President Harry Truman declared July 16 "Ginger Rogers Day." This was part of a big celebration in her honor. Ginger visited the home again in 1972. She was in Kansas City to perform in a musical called Tovarich at Starlight Theater. The mayor of Kansas City gave Ginger a key to the city during this visit.
On July 16, 1994, the City of Independence hosted another Ginger Rogers Day. There was a parade, a book signing, a film festival, and special meals. Mayor Ron Stewart gave Ginger another key to the city. The City of Independence also declared the house an Historic Landmark Property in 1994. Mayor Stewart placed a special plaque on the house during Ginger's visit. This was one of her last public appearances. She passed away in April 1995 at age 83.
History of the House
Oscar Mindrup bought this property and the one next to it in 1906. From when it was built until 2016, several families owned the home. Some of these families are mentioned in the book 100 West Moore Street. The house was for sale for many months. It was then sold to a young couple who lived there for five years. They sold it in 2016 to Three Trails Cottages, LLC.
On February 29, 2016, Three Trails Cottages, LLC bought the home. They did a lot of work to fix the house. They restored it to be as close to its original condition as possible. They kept many historic features. These include the front porch and columns, the detailed woodwork, the original corner bathroom sink, and the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.
The Museum's Collection
Visitors to the museum enjoyed seeing what life was like from the 1910s to the 1940s. They could see many special items. These included memorabilia, antiques, movie posters, magazines, and photos. There were also items worn and owned by Ginger Rogers and her mother, Lela.
Some special items on display included a gown Ginger wore to the 1967 Academy Awards. There was also a pair of Ginger's shoes. Visitors could see the sewing machine Lela Rogers used to make Ginger's dresses for her vaudeville shows. The museum also displayed milk bottles from Ginger's Rogue River Ranch in Oregon. A tennis racquet Ginger won from a tennis pro was also there. The museum used to host special events. These included a Mother's Day Tea and Ginger Rogers' Birthday celebration. The Owens-Rogers Museum is no longer open to the public. However, a digital tour is now available for people to explore online.
