Traveling Museum Now Available

The Owens-Rogers Museum is now available as a temporary exhibit in existing museums, or as a traveling exhibition. Marge Padgitt, the museum director, is available to do online and in-person presentations. 

Ginger Rogers made 73 films and multiple TV and radio shows throughout her lifetime. She made 10 films with Fred Astaire, in which they were both featured dancing and singing. 

Lela Rogers, Ginger's mother, was one of the first 10 female Marines in WWI, a hollywood script writer and producer. She also played Ginger's Mother in the movie The Major and the Minor.  

The house where Ginger was born in Independence, Missouri was re-imagined as a museum but had to close due to the pandemic. It is now owned by a fan of Ginger Rogers.

The exhibit displays include items owned by Ginger and Lela Rogers which include dresses, gowns, shoes, purses, and a tennis racket that Ginger won from a pro tennis player during a match. It also includes a large quantity of memorabilia including dolls, magazines, trading cards, and photos as well as Ginger Rogers' genealogy. 

For more information visit www.owensrogersmuseum.com or send an email to owensrogersmuseum@gmail.com. 

Phone 816-833-1602 Monday - Friday 10am - 5 pm CST.

New Owners are Huge Ginger Fans!

The new owners of 100 W. Moore street in Independence, Missouri are huge Ginger Rogers fans. They were thrilled to purchase the property.

Three Trails Cottages, LLC purchased the house in February of 2016, then spent 2 1/2 years doing renovation work. The 1906 Craftsman Bungalow needed extensive repairs before opening as a museum in August of 2018. The public enjoyed the museum very much. However, due to the lack of adequate revenue to keep the museum going, we had no choice but to sell the property.  We did have 3-D photography done by a professional and are putting together a virtual museum tour, which should be complete by September.

We are also putting together a traveling museum exhibit. More on that later.

The new owners are happy to have the imprinted bricks on their property and promise to preserve them and the house for the future. They also agreed to let people take tours during future Ginger Rogers festivals in Independence. Hopefully, the pandemic will subside and we can make plans for 2021.

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Marge Padgitt is the Director of the Owens-Rogers Virtual Museum and manager of Three Trails Cottages, LLC in Independence, Missouri. She is a writer and publisher.

Season Opening April 1, 2020

100 W Moore Street, Independence, MO

The Owens-Rogers House Museum at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri will
open for the season on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The hours are Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. and by appointment for groups of 10 or more.

The home was the dwelling of Hollywood screenwriter Lela Owns-Rogers and is the birthplace of Hollywood star Ginger Rogers, who was born here on July 16, 1911. Special events are planned for Mother's Day week, Ginger Rogers' 109th birthday celebration in July, haunted tours in October during the City of Independence haunted sites tours, and other dates.

Lela Owens-Rogers and Ginger Rogers

The home was recently converted to a combination museum and short-term vacation rental. It is open year-round for rent and sleeps up to four adults. The home has two bedrooms with one queen bed and one daybed with a trundle, one full bath with the original claw-foot tub, and a half-bath, laundry room, HD TV, free wifi
and a fully stocked kitchen with utensils, pots and pans and new 1940's style appliances.

Available days for rental are Friday through Monday weekly during the tourist season from April through September, and seven days a week the rest of the year. It is listed at airbnb.com and vrbo.com.

For more information visit www.owensrogersmuseum.com or contact the Museum Director Marge Padgitt or her staff at owensrogersmuseum@gmail.com or call 816-833-1602 Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00 pm.

Moe Resner Donates Items to the Owens-Rogers Museum

Moe Resner with his friend,
Ginger Rogers in the 1960's

A long-time friend of Ginger Rogers, Moe Resner, recently donated several items to the Owens-Rogers Museum in Independence, Missouri. Moe was a stand-up comedian, die-hard Cubs fan (even though he was from the Bronx) and fell in love with Ginger Rogers at age 11.  He met Ginger later in life when he was asked to take a photo of her while she was performing Hello Dolly! on Broadway. The two became fast friends for the next 30 years.

Moe contacted me by phone after finding out about the museum. He told me he had several items he wanted to donate including programs, copies of a fan newsletter, a book he co-wrote called The Chicago Cubs and Moe, and correspondence between him and Ginger.  I've started reading the book, and it is quite entertaining.

Moe threw the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley field on May 25, 2017. and again at Tennessee on April 11 and 12, 2018. At age 87, he could still hit and pitch! Moe was a semi-pro baseball player from 1950 - 1959. He was an assistant manager for the AA Dallas Eagles and a coach for the Kansas City A's. Heck, he may have been in KC at the games I attended as a kid.

Moe produced the film End of an Era, NY Giants Last Day at Polo Grounds 1957.

Moe is a member of the screen actors guild and is a speaker for business and baseball functions.
Here is a link to an article written in April of 2018 about Moe throwing out the first pitch at the Cubs game: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/local/2018/04/11/chicago-cubs-tennessee-smokies-moe-resner/491031002/


Moe appeared on TCM's 25th Anniversary Presentation before and after Kitty Foyle was aired. He sent us some collectible cards from that event. The video he sent to TCM is a part of this article: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/people/2019/04/06/moe-resner-edison-appear-april-19-turner-classic-movies/3346723002/

Thanks, Moe, for the wonderful story of your friendship with Ginger and the gifts to the museum for everyone to enjoy!

Items from Moe Resner

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Marge Padgitt is the director of the Owens-Rogers Museum and the Local History Preservation Society. Contact her at owensrogersmuseum@gmail.com

New Video of the Museum Project

A description of the restoration of the 1906 Craftsman Bungalow at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri. This is the house where Hollywood screenwriter Lela Owens-Rogers lived and where famed actress and dancer Ginger Rogers was born. The home has been transformed into a museum dedicated to these two amazing women. The interior restoration has been completed, however, the exterior and landscaping will only be completed after enough funds are raised. This Historic Landmark Property is open to the public.

Visit www.owensrogersmuseum.com for more information.

Mother's Day Tea at the Owens-Rogers Museum

The Owens-Rogers Museum at 100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri, is where Lela Rogers lived and is the birthplace of famed actress, singer, and dancer Ginger Rogers. The Museum opened to the public for its first full season on April 3, 2019.

A Mother’s Day Tea will be held on May 11 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the museum. Tea, coffee, and desserts will be served, and participants may take a tour of the museum and have their photo taken with their own camera in front of the house just like Lela and Ginger did in 1964. Staff will be on hand to help with photos. Tickets are $15 each and must be purchased in advance.

Lela and Ginger Rogers

Marge and Gene Padgitt, of Independence, Missouri purchased the property in February of 2016 and began the restoration process, which was quite extensive. Marge Padgitt is a Ginger Rogers fan and wanted to save the house for the public to enjoy. Gene Padgitt was the general contractor for the project. The interior has been restored to as close to original as possible with the addition of museum displays which include photos, posters, clothing, memorabilia, Ginger’s family history, and items that both Lela and Ginger owned. The featured display is the gown the Ginger Rogers wore to the 1967 Academy Awards.  

The home was designated as an Historic Landmark Property by the City of Independence in 1994 when Ginger Rogers visited for her birthday celebration. Mayor Ron Stewart affixed the plaque to the home at that time.

The Owens-Rogers Museum

Audrey Elder, author of “Guide to Selling Historic Properties for Real Estate Agents” and 29 historic property books including “100 W Moore Street,” is the manager for The Ginger House Museum. After recently leaving a twelve-year career in real estate, Audrey now teaches continued education about working with historic properties for realtors in Missouri and Kansas, as well as training presentations specific to historic preservation and sustainable community building in historic districts. Audrey served three years on the City of Independence Missouri Heritage Commission, and is a member of many local historic societies.

Regular museum hours are 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Wednesday and Saturday from April 1 to September 30. The museum is open to private group tours by appointment year-round.  Ticket prices are $8 for ages 13 and up; $6 for seniors on Wednesday; and $5 for children aged 5 – 12. The Ginger House Museum hosts special events such as  Ginger’s birthday celebration in July. The museum has several items for sale including books written by Ginger Rogers, postcards, and milk bottles from her Oregon ranch. 

For more information visit www.owensrogersmuseum.com 

or call 816-833-1602. 

Owens-Rogers Museum to Open April 3

                                     

100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri 64050
816-833-1602 www.owensrogersmuseum.com

PRESS RELEASE

The Owens-Rogers Museum at 100 W Moore Street in Independence, Missouri will open for the season on April 3, 2019. The 1906 Craftsman Bungalow is the site where famed actress and dancer Ginger Rogers was born in 1911.

Independence, Missouri, March 25, 2019

The Owens-Rogers Museum is owned by Marge and Gene Padgitt of Three Trails Cottages, LLC. They worked to restore the home for over two years before opening it to the public in August of 2018. The home has been transformed into a museum dedicated to Lela Owens-Rogers and her daughter, Ginger Rogers.

Lela Owens-Rogers was a Vaudeville scriptwriter, newspaper reporter, and a Hollywood screenwriter. Her daughter, Ginger, became one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood. Ginger Rogers made 73 films and appeared in dozens of radio shows and theatrical productions.

Displays include memorabilia, posters, dolls, signed items, Ginger’s family tree, and authentic gowns and other items that Ginger Rogers owned and wore. Guests may listen to a radio broadcast with Ginger Rogers and Bob Hope.

The Museum is open Wednesday – Friday from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. From April through September. Private groups of 10 or more must make arrangements in advance.

Tickets are $8 for ages 13 and up and $5 for ages 5 – 12.  Free for children under age 5. 

The Owens-Rogers Museum offers a 60-minute in-depth pre-tour presentation for groups at their group meeting site in the greater Kansas City area.

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Contact museum director Marge Padgitt at 816-833-1602 or email owensrogersmuseum@gmail.com for more information. 

Owens-Rogers Museum Name Change

The Ginger House Museum name has been changed to the Owens-Rogers Museum to better reflect the subjects.

Lela Owens-Rogers was a Vaudeville scriptwriter, newspaper reporter, and later a Hollywood screenwriter and instructor at RKO studios, a producer, and manager for her daughter, Ginger Rogers. She gave birth to Ginger Rogers in this home.

Lela Rogers played Ginger Rogers' mother in movie The Major and the minor.

Ginger was a Vaudeville and Broadway sensation and Hollywood film star and the highest paid actress in Hollywood in the early 1940's.

Visitors will find information about both of these amazing women and their family history in the museum located at 100 W Moore Street, Independence, MO 64050.

Program from Mame with Ginger Rogers

I was able to obtain a program from the show Mame, which Ginger Rogers starred in at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in 1969.

I had to purchase an entire set of old programs just to get this one - but it was worth it!  The program is going on display at The Ginger House Museum, but I thought I'd show some of the inside pages here which will not be accessible at the museum. We also have an original poster from this show which looks like the second page here:

Front page of program

Just like the poster

There is a good video of the opening night of Mame here:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp8XVj1iqm0

And another video of Ginger's first dance number in the musical:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQCTiOYeoJo

 ________________________
Marge Padgitt is the director of the Ginger House Museum in Independence, Missouri. She has collected pieces for display since early 2016. Contact Marge at thegingerhousemuseum@gmail.com.

The Ginger House Museum Opens in Independence

100 W Moore St. Independence, MO

The Ginger House Museum at 100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri, is the birthplace of famed actress, singer, and dancer Ginger Rogers. The Museum opened to the public on August 22, 2018. A ribbon cutting was held by the Independence Chamber of Commerce on August 21.

Marge and Gene Padgitt, of Independence, Missouri purchased the property in February of 2016 and began the restoration process, which was quite extensive. Marge Padgitt is a Ginger Rogers fan and wanted to save the house for the public to enjoy. The Padgitts own several businesses including HearthMasters, Inc., which is a chimney and fireplace restoration company, and Three Trails Cottages, LLC, which is a real estate investment business. Gene Padgitt was the general contractor for the Ginger House Museum project. The interior has been restored to as close to original as possible with the addition of museum displays which include photos, posters, clothing and items that Ginger Rogers owned, and her family history. The exterior of the home and landscaping will be completed in the spring of 2019.

The 1906 home was designated as an Historic Landmark Property by the City of Independence in 1994 when Ginger Rogers visited for her birthday celebration. Mayor Ron Stewart affixed the plaque to the home at that time.

Audrey Elder, author of “Guide to Selling Historic Properties for Real Estate Agents” and 29 historic property books including “100 W Moore Street,” is the manager for The Ginger House Museum. After recently leaving a twelve-year career in real estate, Audrey now teaches continued education about working with historic properties for realtors in Missouri and Kansas, as well as training presentations specific to historic preservation and sustainable community building in historic districts. Audrey served three years on the City of Independence Missouri Heritage Commission, is a member of many local historical societies.

Audrey Elder at the front desk

Museum hours are 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wednesday – Saturday from April 1 to September 30, and weekends in October through December, and again in February for special holiday theme tours. The museum is open to private group tours by appointment year-round.  

Ticket prices are $8 for ages 13 and up, $6 for seniors, military, fire, and police,and $4 for children aged 5 – 12. The Ginger House Museum hosts the annual Ginger Festival in honor of Ginger Rogers. Plans for the 2019 Festival are underway and include a 1940’s theme, fashion show with Ginger Rogers gowns, a banquet and dance.

Fundraising for the project includes the sale of engraved bricks for the new sidewalks, which will be installed in 2019. Bricks may be purchased for $100. Larger contributions are accepted. The museum has several items for sale including books written by Ginger Rogers, postcards, and milk bottles from her Oregon ranch. 

The museum is seeking volunteer docents to work part time on their own schedule. For more information visit www.thegingerhouse.org or call 816-833-1602. The blog address is www.thegingerrogershouse.blogspot.com, and the museum has a Facebook account where updates are posted.

Grand Opening of the Ginger House Museum

The Ginger House Museum Opens in Independence

The Ginger House Museum

The Ginger House Museum at 100 W Moore Street, Independence, Missouri, is the birthplace of famed actress and dancer Ginger Rogers. The Museum opens to the public on August 21 after a 3:00 pm ribbon cutting ceremony by the Independence Chamber of Commerce, and will celebrate the grand opening until August 31.

Marge and Gene Padgitt with Three Trails Cottages, Inc. own the property and have been restoring it since they purchased it in February of 2016. The Padgitt’s own several businesses including HearthMasters, which is a chimney and fireplace restoration company, and Three Trails Properties, which is a real estate investment company. Gene Padgitt is the general contractor for the Ginger House Museum project. The interior has been restored to as close to original as possible with the addition of museum displays which include photos, posters, clothing and items that Ginger Rogers owned, and her family history. The exterior of the home and landscaping will be completed in the spring of 2019.

The home was designated as an Historic Landmark Property by the City of Independence in 1994 when Ginger Rogers visited for her birthday celebration.

Ribbon Cutting with the Independence Chamber

Audrey Elder, author of “Guide to Selling Historic Properties for Real Estate Agents” and 29 historic property books including “100 W Moore Street,” was recently hired to manage the Ginger House Museum. Audrey is the co-owner of Past to Present Research LLC. Past to Present specializes in historic research, education and sustainability consultation. After recently leaving a twelve-year career in real estate, Audrey now teaches continued education on working with historic properties for realtors in Missouri and Kansas as well as training presentations specific to historic preservation and sustainable community building in historic districts. Audrey served three years on the City of Independence Missouri Heritage Commission, is a member of many local historic societies, Missouri Main Street member, founder of sustainability community group Meaningful Living and Co-Chair of Education Outreach for the Oregon California Trails Association.

Museum hours are 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday – Saturday and 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Sunday from April 1 to September 30. From October through March the Museum will be open for private group tours by appointment. Prices are $8 for  ages 13 and over, $6 for seniors and military, and $4 for ages

Grand Opening Cake

5 - 12. The museum is seeking volunteer docents to work part time on their own schedule. For more information visit www.thegingerhouse.org or call 816-833-1602.

Ginger Rogers Festival a Success

The first Ginger Rogers festival hosted by The Ginger House Museum July 13-15, 2018 was a big success.

We were thrilled to be able to have several amazing speakers at the event including Audrey Elder of Past to Present Research who has done extensive research on the property and wrote the book "100 W Moore Street"; Tom Talbert with Tom Talbert Video, who shared his amazing story about video taping Ginger Rogers in 1994; Gene Padgitt, with HearthMasters, Inc. who is the general contractor responsible for the restoration of the property; Linda Lee Sutton, with Linda Lee Sutton Original Dolls who created the Fancy Feet Doll approved by Ginger Rogers; and your's truly, who discussed Ginger's unique history and family tree.

We were especially pleased with the keynote presentation by Roberta Olden, who was Ginger Rogers' assistant for the last 18 years of her life. Roberta shared many of her interesting stories about the time she spent with Ginger and answered many questions from the audience. Roberta donated some very unique items to the museum that were owned and worn by Ginger Rogers. Some items were sold at the fundraising auction, but most are going on display in the museum.

Among the items on display are two stunning ball gowns (one is the blue dress Ginger wore to the 1967 Academy Awards ceremony), one red and yellow polka dot dress that Ginger is shown wearing in a photo on the back of a book, a negligee set that Ginger designed for JC Penney, the key to the City and proclamation from the 1964 "Ginger Rogers Day" event in Independence, and gloves and purses. A pair of shoes and pair of boots that Ginger wore were among several items that sold at the auction.

Christine McDonald donated a beautiful pink gown with feathered sleeves to the museum, which will be on display soon.

Joann Carlson donated many items to the museum which are now on display. Vivian Miner also donated many clippings and other items, and we have books, magazines, an collectibles that were donated by multiple individuals.

An "everyday" skirt, blouse, and jacket are on loan from Mrs. Marilyn Stewart. This item was purchased at the estate sale in California.

We hosted a Ginger Rogers Fan Club meeting at the museum on Sunday morning so attendees could take the first tour of the house. Even though all of the displays are not yet up, the crowd seemed to enjoy seeing all of our hard work. It was so nice to be able to see people face-to-face that we've been communicating with via social media, and to be able to speak with other die-hard Ginger Rogers fans!

The museum security system and camera system are installed and we are currently working on anti-UV light display cases for the gowns.

We are gearing up for our grand opening on August 16 at 4:00 pm  with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Independence Chamber of Commerce. The museum will be open to the public on August 17. For more information and tickets visit www.thegingerhouse.org.
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Marge Padgitt is the Director and owner of The Ginger House Museum, and the President and Director of the Local History Preservation Society which is a not-for-profit organization who handles donations to the museum. mp@thegingerhouse.org.