Old Cowtown Museum's newest exhibit building, the Wichita Carriage Works, was completed in early 2024. Based on the early Wichita business of the same name, the Carriage Works was designed to properly house and display the museum's collection of rolling stock. The original Carriage Works, located at the corner of First and Water Streets, built buggies, surreys, carriages, spring wagons, delivery wagons, and phaetons. The two-story structure measured fifty feet by one hundred and fifty feet. The first floor housed blacksmithing, a wood shop, and the repository. The second floor was reserved for painting, varnishing, and trimming.
Founded by Daniel and Margaret Ann McKenzie in 1884, the Wichita Carriage Works served the community for decades. Due to the effects of a stroke around 1890, Daniel had to lessen his involvement with the company; this led to his wife Margaret Ann taking the lead. All of the advertisements and labels were then shown as “built by M.A. McKenzie." Mrs. McKenzie became a prominent female business owner, inspiring other women. Daniel passed away in 1906 but Margaret continued to helm the business through 1920, when she retired to California. Her sons, Leo and Don, took over and ran the operation until a fire in 1929 destroyed the business.
If you would like to donate to support this project, you can mail donations to the museum marked "Carriage Works Donation" or
donate online here. All donations are tax deductible.
