402 on Main Events: How a Historic Space Became Alma's Gathering Place

402 on Main events have become one of the most rewarding parts of the Brandt House restoration journey.

When we first began bringing this historic building back to life, we knew we wanted to preserve more than stone walls and old architecture. We wanted to create places where people could gather, connect, and make memories together.

That vision eventually became 402 on Main.

Today, this downtown event venue in Alma, Kansas, hosts everything from live music and community celebrations to game nights, dancing, and private events. Looking around now, it's hard to believe how much has changed in just a few short years.

One thing we've learned throughout the restoration process is that old buildings often have stories left to tell.

As work began on the patio, we wanted every detail to feel connected to Alma's history. In keeping with the historic vibe, we chose a dry-stacked native stone wall to frame the space. These walls have been built for hundreds of years and are known for being both beautiful and incredibly durable.

It felt like the perfect addition to the City of Native Stone.

Then we uncovered something completely unexpected.

While bringing in dirt to raise the patio's elevation, we discovered an old hand-stacked stone well, hidden beneath the property. The well is approximately forty feet deep and still contains water today.

We instantly fell in love with this piece of history.

Instead of covering it, we worked with local craftsmen at Matt Heslet Masonry Specialties to preserve it and incorporate it into the finished patio. Today, visitors can peer through a glass cover to glimpse a chapter of Alma's past that might otherwise have been lost.

Moments like that remind us why preservation matters.

Once the well was preserved, the concrete was poured, stamped, and stained. Then came one of our favorite parts of the project.

Finding the furniture.

We tracked down beautifully restored iron patio sets that felt perfectly at home in the courtyard. Suddenly, what had been a construction site started feeling like a gathering place.

We could finally picture what it would become.

Music. Conversation. Laughter.

Friends lingering around tables long after sunset. We set the stage and we’re so excited to get started with some amazing events. And, we’re certain they’ll become some of the best things to do in Alma, KS.

On June 7, 2025, that vision became reality. Yes, dreams do come true.

We hosted our first live music night on the patio with musician Will Gunselman, a musician from Arkansas married to a Wabaunsee County native. Guests filled the courtyard while music echoed off the historic stone walls. People visited over cold drinks, shared stories, and enjoyed a beautiful Kansas evening together.

The patio was full of people, music, and laughter. It was everything we had dreamed of for the space.

That evening confirmed what we had hoped all along. Historic buildings thrive when they are filled with life.

Since then, live music has become one of the signature 402 on Main events. Regional musicians bring their own style and energy to each performance, creating evenings that feel both relaxed and memorable.

There is a certain magic that happens when people come together for live music, especially on warm summer nights in a place rich with history. Brandt House patio events make that magic happen.

One of the things we love most about 402 on Main is how it changes with the seasons.

Summer evenings bring live music, patio gatherings, and community celebrations.

One of the highlights each year is Hot Alma Nights. This beloved downtown tradition fills Alma with classic cars, live entertainment, food vendors, and visitors from across Kansas. After the car show wraps up, many attendees make their way to the Brandt House patio for an evening of live music and fellowship.

Hot Alma Nights has become more than a car show. It's a celebration of community, heritage, and hope. We are proud to be part of it.

When colder weather arrives, the gatherings simply move indoors.

Bingo logo & game photos

When temperatures drop and evenings grow darker, it can be tempting to stay home.

That's exactly why we created our Winter Game Night Series at 402 on Main.

Each week offers something different. Some nights feature high-energy bingo with prizes and plenty of laughs. Other evenings bring card games, puzzle competitions, or trivia challenges that test everything from local knowledge to pop culture expertise.

The goal has never been just entertainment.

These events were created to keep our community connected through the winter months. They give friends a reason to gather, neighbors a chance to meet, and visitors another way to experience the welcoming spirit of Alma.

Winter nights really are warmer when we spend them together.

As 402 on Main has grown, we've continued looking for ways to bring people together.

One of our newest traditions is Boots at Brandt, a country two-step and swing dance series held in our historic event space.

The classes are taught by former members of the Kansas State Swingin' Spurs, whose enthusiasm is contagious. Some participants arrive with years of dance experience. Others have never stepped onto a dance floor before.

By the end of the evening, everyone is smiling.

There is something special about watching strangers become dance partners and dance partners become friends.

That's exactly the type of community we hoped to build here.

People often ask what 402 on Main is.

The simplest answer is that it's a gathering place.

It's where neighbors meet for trivia night. It's where visitors discover Alma for the first time. It's where musicians perform, dancers learn new steps, and families celebrate milestones together.

It's where history and community meet.

The patio space is also available for private events in Alma, KS. We offer a unique setting for celebrations, reunions, showers, corporate retreats, and special occasions in downtown Alma.

No matter the event, our goal remains the same.

We want every guest to feel welcome.

As we look back on the restoration journey, we're grateful for every person who has attended a concert, played a game of bingo, danced a two-step, or simply spent an evening visiting with friends on the patio.

You have helped turn a historic building into something much more meaningful.

A community gathering place.

If you're planning a visit to Alma, we invite you to experience 402 on Main events for yourself. Stay at Brandt House, enjoy an evening on the patio, and become part of the next chapter in this ongoing story.

We can't wait to welcome you.