1950s showcase of the 'All-Electric House' later evolved into a big museum exhibit in Kansas

Photo byCarol M. Highsmith via Library of Congress.

Part of the Johnson County Museum in Kansas is a signature exhibit known as the 1950s All-Electric House.

Johnson County, Kansas started as sparsely settled farmland. After World War II, the population of the county exploded. Today, according to the World Population Review, over 625,000 people living in Johnson County.

The 1950s All-Electric House was constructed in 1953. The house was intended to demonstrate contemporary American family living of its time and what many were hoping for as they moved into the suburbs.

It’s also a reminder of how some people were prevented from having that lifestyle. Whether it was lack of money or discrimination, it was a dream some couldn’t achieve in that era. It's been over 70 years since this ranch house was built.

Here, the bathroom shows the power of coordinating color in the bathroom.Photo byCarol M. Highsmith, via Library of Congress.

The ranch-style house is one of the largest collections at the Johnson County Museum. Believe it or not, there were five families who lived in this house for a 40-year stretch from the 1950s to the 1990s.

The last family to live in the house donated it to the museum. They knew the house was important. It was an era where bathrooms were color-coordinated with the walls, toilet, and sink.

The house after it was built and the image was likely part of a marketing brochure.Photo byJohnson County Museum via Facebook.

The house was built by the Kansas City Power & Light Company. In the 1950s, it was a show house in an all-electric neighborhood. Natural gas wasn’t required for this fancy functioning home. Thousands of people came to visit the house during the six months it was open to the public for touring in 1954.

It was also referred to as a house for the lazy man because of all its electrical perks. It had switches that would open and close the curtains. A switch would reveal a hidden television above a fireplace and behind a painting. Because of outdoor speakers, you could listen to the television while sipping a beverage on the patio.

The kitchen of the 1950s All Electric House.Photo byCarol M. Highsmith, via Library of Congress.

The house also had “Moon Glow” nightlights. There was an electric fireplace that sounded like a real fireplace. An efficient electric heat pump gave off heat for the home.

Visit here to take the virtual tour of the All-Electric House. The decor in the house is so 1950s, albeit it's an upscale house for that era.

The Johnson County Museum is located at 8788 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas. Hours on Mondays through Saturdays are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The museum is part of the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.

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