Traveling with the Jones

Last week amidst all of the Royal Wedding hoopla seemed the perfect time to visit the “Diana, a celebration” exhibit at Kansas City’s Union Station.  Doing so brought back a flood of memories of the influence Diana brought to the world throughout the 1980s until her untimely 1997 death.

Attending the exhibit with my mother –little chance of getting Mr. Jones there — we found the official exhibit divided into nine segments.  There’s also a separate Kansas City brides section that you are funneled through first and a gift shop at the end of the exhibit.

Jewels and a Tiara

Once into the Diana exhibit, you first get an up close view of one of the royal creations made from centuries of jewels in the Tiara gallery. Next, there’s 300 years of Spencer Women family history (mainly a display of their jewelry.)

Childhood Memorabilia

Before she was a princess, Diana Frances Spencer experienced a relatively normal upper class English childhood.  This part of the exhibit includes a compilation of home movies shot by her father, along with a collection of childhood toys and mementos. 

One can’t help but notice somewhat sudden and dramatic change in Diana’s live when she became engaged to Prince Charles at age 19 in February, 1981. 

The Wedding Dress

The highlight of the Royal Wedding section — Diana’s wedding dress — with its puffy sleeves and huge train seems plain, not magical as I remember when Diana wore it on her wedding day. 

Another room contains items from her 1997 funeral – and shows the edits to her brother’s tribute along with a room filled with condolence books. 

Iconic Fashions

Onward to my favorite part of the exhibit showcasing Diana’s style progression from shy, conservative Royal to independent, fashion icon. The collections of dresses and gowns provide a time capsule of the influences Diana’s clothes made on your closet throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Exhibit Runs through June 12^th

Diana, a Celebration runs through June 12, 2011, before returning to England to the Althorp estate where Diana is buried.  Located on the bottom level of Union Station, 30 West Pershing in Kansas City, Missouri, the Exhibit is open Tuesday through Sunday. Entrance fee for adults is $23.50. Allow one and a half to two hours to view the exhibit.

Have you been to the Exhibit? What did you think?

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View from the Town of Kansas Pedestrian Bridge overlooking the Missouri River

 
Get a view of the birthplace of Kansas City, Missouri in historic River Market area from  the Town of Kansas Pedestrian Bridge  30 feet above the Missouri River.

This 650-foot bridge spans the Town of Kansas archaeological site, two railroads and the “footprint” of the old Municipal Wharf.

The bridge provides an overhead view of the two modes of transportation that shaped Kansas City: trains and the Mighty Mo.

The Town of Kansas Bridge is part of the Riverfront Heritage Trail.

A tour boat navigates one of the canals in a city known for water, parks and bicycles.

What’s the city?

 Hints:

• It’s a capital city situated on two islands
• This city was ranked the world’s 10^th most expensive in 2010
• More than one third of its workers commute via bicycles
• It’s a popular cruise ship port

Be the first to post your answer in comments.

Check back on Wednesday for a post on the destination.

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