In 1854, Leavenworth became the first city in Kansas. It was like a starting point for people going west to Oregon and California. Nowadays, many old buildings in the city are still standing and are popular for tourists.
Thad and Robin Krasnesky bought a 140-year-old, 9,000-square-foot home in 2021. They feel like they’re not just homeowners but are taking care of its history. They shared their story with KCTV5 News and talked about finding interesting things in and around their old house.
On top of a 12-foot bookshelf, they found a Civil War-era presentation cane and a pocket watch. They returned these antique items to the owner’s heir. In another room, behind a non-functioning transom, they found a nook with books like “The Scarlet Letter” and “Ben-Hur” from 1907.
They also explored the attic, finding raccoons, HVAC problems, and strange sounds. Krasnesky found two jars of silver coins from 1916 and the 1890s under a loose floorboard.
Krasnesky made a Facebook page called Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats to document his finds. He plans to continue searching for treasure as long as he lives in the house. The house has a long history, going back 140 years, and he wants it to stay that way for years to come.
As he does renovations, Krasnesky puts current newspapers, coins, and notes throughout the house.
