Kansas City Museum | Kansas City

The Kansas City Museum, located in the historic Corinthian Hall in the city’s Historic Northeast neighborhood, is a fully restored cultural landmark that tells the story of Kansas City through a diverse and inclusive lens. It combines elegant architecture, immersive exhibitions, educational programming, and community-centered events.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Corinthian Hall was built in 1910 by Robert A. Long, a wealthy lumber baron and civic leader. The mansion is a classic example of Beaux-Arts architecture, featuring limestone construction, decorative columns, grand staircases, ornate ceilings, and stained-glass windows. It originally included not just the mansion but also a Carriage House, Conservatory, and Greenhouse. In 1939, the Long family gifted the estate to the City of Kansas City, and the museum opened to the public in 1940.

MUSEUM STRUCTURE & INTERIOR

1. First Floor: Grand Entrance & Orientation

The Corinthian Hall foyer greets visitors with a wide marble staircase and restored woodwork. The ceiling mural and ornate chandeliers reflect early 20th-century opulence.

The Orientation Gallery introduces the museum’s vision, grounded in a mission to preserve and interpret Kansas City’s rich cultural history.

The Salon and Dining Room spaces are preserved with period furnishings and interpretive displays about the Long family.

2. Second Floor: Permanent Exhibitions

"Making a City" traces Kansas City’s formation, from its pre-colonial Native peoples through its industrial growth and cultural shifts in the 19th and 20th centuries.

"The City We Became" highlights immigration, civil rights, redlining, urban development, and the racial and economic divides that shaped modern Kansas City.

"Our Stories, Our Voices" is an evolving exhibition showcasing personal histories contributed by local community members, focusing on Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ narratives.

3. Third Floor: Long Family Legacy & Social Spaces

Rooms dedicated to Robert Long, his daughters, and their lives inside the mansion.

The Billiard Room, restored with early 1900s game tables, is also open to visitors for leisure.

Board games, books, and cozy nooks promote relaxation and informal interaction with the historic space.

AMENITIES & FEATURES

Elixir – The Soda Fountain

A nostalgic space designed to resemble an old-fashioned 1920s soda parlor.

Offers craft sodas, espresso, teas, ice cream, and light snacks.

Open Thursday afternoons and during daytime hours Friday through Sunday.

Wisteria – Museum Boutique

A retail shop named after the flowering vines surrounding the estate.

Offers books, artisan crafts, apparel, jewelry, and curated Kansas City-themed gifts.

Accessibility

The building has been made wheelchair accessible through thoughtful renovation.

Elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms are integrated throughout.

PROGRAMMING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Kansas City Museum regularly hosts a variety of free and paid programming:

Gallery Talks & Tours: Staff and guest curators provide in-depth presentations on rotating exhibits and city history.

Lecture Series: Covering civic issues, urban planning, local authors, and social justice themes.

Live Performances: Jazz concerts, theatrical readings, and poetry slams reflect the region's artistic vitality.

Pop-Up Yoga & Wellness Events: Held in the front lawn, drawing locals for holistic wellness experiences.

Family Days & School Tours: Designed for educational exploration, often featuring crafts, storytelling, and scavenger hunts.

OUTBUILDINGS & FUTURE EXPANSION

The museum’s long-term plan includes restoring and activating:

Carriage House: To house digital media and community art programming.

Conservatory: Will be renovated into a multi-purpose event space and gallery.

Greenhouse: Proposed for educational horticulture programs and a future café.

Additionally, the museum is constructing:

JewelHouse, a contemporary art installation exploring the Black experience in Kansas City.

A James Turrell Skyspace, a monumental work combining architecture and light to create meditative experiences, one of very few in the Midwest.

WHY VISIT

The Kansas City Museum is more than a traditional history institution-it’s a cultural center embedded in its community. It provides a dynamic, inclusive narrative of Kansas City’s past and present while honoring the complexity of its people and neighborhoods.

Visitors can expect a well-rounded experience combining architectural beauty, historical learning, local art, and community stories-all offered with free general admission. It’s a must-visit for history buffs, architecture lovers, students, and anyone interested in understanding the soul of Kansas City.