The John Wornall House Museum

Mission Vision & Values:

The mission of The Wornall/Majors House Museums is to engage our community by bringing history to life through hands-on, innovative programs and experiences.

History:

In 1857, John Wornall and his brother-in-law, A. S. Johnson, became incorporators for the Shawnee Town Company of Johnson County, Kansas. This interest in real estate apparently continued, as a directory in 1867-68 listed his profession as such. In 1860, the Kansas City Enquirer and Star reported that southern sympathizers formed a temporary vigilance committee called the Westport Minute Men. John Wornall's name headed the list; he also served on its examining committee.

John Wornall co-founded the Kansas City National Bank in 1870. That same year he was elected to the state senate representing Cass, Jackson, and Bates counties. He served four years before declining re-nomination.

The Wornalls were representative of the southern migration to western Missouri, but they were not the "average" farm family. The average farmer at this time had between 80 and 100 acres of land. John Wornall met with almost unfailing success in western Missouri.