Climb aboard as we visit Waterville, Kan. for the day! Tuesday, Feb. 24, we’ll tour the Weaver Hotel, Depot Museum and browse Anntie M’s Attic.

The Weaver Hotel was built in 1905 and sits directly across the street from the railroad tracks. Passengers waited for their train in the front parlor of the hotel, found lodging upstairs, ate in the dining room, and stepped across the street for performances in the Opera House. Railroad crews also stayed at the Weaver; first the workers building the railroad further west, and then the regular train crews. In the early years, drummers (traveling salesmen) arrived on the train and stayed at the Weaver Hotel.

A landmark of railroad history, the Weaver Hotel is also a symbol of the partnership between local commerce and the transportation industry. It came into being because of the railroad and lives again as a railroad history preserved in Waterville. After sitting quietly empty for years, the Waterville Preservation Society purchased the building and set out to save a piece of the community’s history. With the help of two grants and the hard work of many concerned citizens, the Weaver Hotel has been given a new face-lift inside and out and is ready for your visit. The facility hosts 10 lodging rooms, two party rooms, a visitor center with gift shop, and a 4-floor elevator.

The bus will depart from the Village Entrance for Waterville at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. The group will go on a tour of the Weaver Hotel upon arriving to Waterville, then have lunch at the hotel. The lunch menu includes: chicken fettuccine alfredo, a green salad, garlic bread and a brownie sundae with Call Hall Ice Cream. After lunch, we’ll tour the Depot Museum across the street then end our visit with a trip to Anntie M’s Attic, a large collection of women’s vintage hats, clothing and accessories from 1870′s to the 1980′s. The group plans to return to Meadowlark Hills around 3 p.m. 

Please sign up in the Blue Book at the Hospitality Desk if you would like to come along. The cost for the trip is $30 and includes lunch (gratuity and tax), all tours and transportation. Please contact Sarah Duggan at (785) 323-3860 with questions.