Amelia was born in the home on July 24, 1897 to Edwin Stanton Earhart and Amy Otis Earhart. Amelia’s father was a lawyer whose position as a railroad claims agent required him to travel a great deal. Consequently both Amelia and her sister Muriel spent an abundance of their childhood with their grandparents in Atchison.

Despite living in many different cities, Amelia considered Atchison her hometown, having spent more of her life in the Otis home than anywhere else. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace represents the most tangible remaining link with the famous female aviator.

Judge Alfred Otis and Amelia Harres Otis lived in the home until 1912, when they both passed away. Two families occupied the home prior to 1956 when it was purchased by Paul and Winney Allingham. The Allinghams lived in the home until 1984 when they both died without children or plans for the home’s disposition.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Eugene J. Bribach of Atchison, contributed $100,000 to The Ninety-Nines, an International Organization of Women Pilots (to which Amelia not only belonged, but also served as their inaugural president) to assist with the purchase and maintenance of the home.

Annually, thousands of visitors tour the National Historic Site to learn about the life of one of the world’s most influential female aviators. Since the Museum opened to the public, it has consistently proven to be a leading public attraction in the Atchison area. It is owned and operated as a museum by The Ninety-Nines Inc., an international organization of women pilots. Earhart helped found the group in 1929 and served as its first president. Recent renovations have returned the birthplace to its condition at the turn of the century when Earhart lived here with her grandparents.

Cost: $10 adults, $8 adults 50+, $6 Active military, $6 children 5-12, Free children 5 and under. Regular hours: (Feb. 19 – Dec. 18): M-F 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. Winter hours (Dec. 25 – Feb. 20): Closed Mondays. T-F 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum