Kansas City Museum (Tour)

Entries on This Tour

Third Floor

History of El Torreon and Cowtown Ballroom

Kansas City has a rich history of music and dance, previously addressed on the second floor with the coverage of the Jazz scene. Music and dance clubs, also known as ballrooms, were highly popular throughout the 20th century. Known as the "Paris of the Plains," Kansas City had many establishments that influenced the city's vibrant nightlife. Located at 31st and Gillham Streets, El Torreon Ballroom opened in 1927 and closed in 1934, due largely to the economic conditions of the Great Depression. The ballroom was converted to a roller rink from 1937 until the 1960s and reopened for live music performances in 1971 as the Cowtown Ballroom. While El Torreon had a house band led by Phil Baxter during the Jazz and Big Band age, Cowtown served as a popular venue for rock music. Although only open as the Cowtown Ballroom from 1971 until 1974, it gained national acclaim during that period as a premiere live music venue and hosted some of the leading stars of the era in addition to eclectic local musical acts.

Curating a Museum

The Kansas City Museum houses over 100,000 historical artifacts and archival materials in its collection. Starting in 1939, over 80 years of donations and accessions have built a collection focused on the history of the Kansas City area, following the Museum's mission of being "home of the whole story" for the city. While the permanent exhibits in the museum have been created using the museum's own collection, there are temporary traveling exhibits that will also visit the museum for patrons to enjoy. Museum collections are meant to be used for education and research, as well as enjoyment and enrichment. The accession and acquisition process, collections process, and the deaccessioning process are covered throughout the exhibit. The Mirror Ball from the El Torreon Ballroom also appears in this room, preparing patrons for the following El Torreon and Cowtown Ballroom exhibit.

Our City, Our Stories

Kansas City has a diverse population with rich cultural histories that have shaped the city into what it is today. The exhibit, "Our City, Our Stories," features stories from 21 Kansas Citians, each highlighting their own unique racial, ethnic, and cultural background. Although the stories are brief, the exhibit allows patrons an inside look into the lives of Kansas Citians of all walks of life.

A Cultural & Community Restoration: 1970s to Present

The rise of suburbs in the mid-20th century led to a decrease in population in city centers and a loss of tax revenue to maintain those areas, causing urban decay. Suburbanization also reinforced housing segregation, with "white flight" taking white Kansas Citians away from urban centers and relocating them to racially and economically restricted suburban developments. Marginalized communities were left in areas that began to decay. However, many individuals and groups worked towards the revitalization of negatively impacted neighborhoods. Additionally, many civil rights groups worked towards the end of racially exclusive housing developments, achieving change throughout the 20th century. While revitalization and civil rights efforts were met with success, rapid suburbanization and racial exclusion in the housing industry still leaves an indelible mark on the city today. Many events shaped the city and impacted its development throughout the past five decades, leading to the vibrant city known today. Now, with numerous culturally diverse neighborhoods, Kansas City's story has become one of collective heritage, perseverance, civic unity, urban improvement, hope, and pride.

Second Floor

The Donald Piper Memorial Medical Collection of St. Joseph Hospital

Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Joseph Hospital opened in 1874. In operation for over one hundred years, the hospital serves as an excellent resource to observe medical advancements in the past century. Consisting of over 15,000 pieces of medical equipment and other archives from the St. Joseph Hospital, the Donald Piper Memorial Medical Collection of St. Joseph Hospital is one of the largest medical collections in the Midwest. The collection comes from the medical museum that was housed at St. Joseph Hospital, founded by Dr. Donald Kirk Piper in 1972, and its first museum exhibit in the hospital's second location opening in 1983. The Kansas City Museum acquired the collection in 2015 and is currently displaying a portion of the collection for patrons to see the evolution of medical science.

The Edward F. Swinney Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Gallery

World War II led to an economic boom in Kansas City, much like the rest of the United States, pulling the city out of the economic depths posed by the Great Depression. After the War, efforts were made to rebuild the city, fully separating Kansas City from the Pendergast Machine of the 1930s. Reforms led to improvements that boosted the economy and promoted a "Kansas City Spirit." Community entertainment increased through the introduction of professional sports teams, the development of World's of Fun and Crown Center, and an increase in cultural centers. Such growing entertainment proved to become Kansas City's new booming industry, replacing the city's past leading industry: the stockyards. Other industries, such as transportation, greeting cards, and marionette manufacture, thrived as well. However, in the midst of political and economic reform, racial inequality persisted in Kansas City. Civil Rights activists worked diligently to promote the end of racial discrimination, leading boycotts, walkouts, and when tensions rose, protests. Additional activism rose to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. All-in-all, the latter half of the 20th century marked great changes for Kansas City, and set a foundation as it approached the 21st century.

The Joseph Charles Cirese, Sr., and Central Bank of Kansas City Gallery

The Joseph Charles Cirese, Sr. and Central Bank of Kansas City Gallery focuses on the period from the 1910s until the 1940s. The era was a time of physical and economic growth for the city, but while Kansas City's industries thrived, so too did its crime. The gallery includes exhibits that center on Pohibition and the rise of "Boss Politics". In Kansas City,Thomas J. Pendergast created a political machine that blended corruption and cronyism with pragmatic responsiveness to at least some of the needs of local residents, in order to secure electoral victory for over two decades. One of the most powerful political machines in the country, The Pendergast Machine lasted from the late 1920s until 1939,when Pendergast was imprisoned for income tax evasion. The exhibit includes the history of the political machine that controlled neighborhoods as well as the development of jazz, women's suffrage, booming industries and growth of the city, and the experiences of immigrants and people of color who contributed to the city's continued growth.

The William T. Kemper Gallery

The William T. Kemper Gallery within the Kansas City Museum highlights the early growth of Kansas City from the 1880s into the 1920s. Growing industries are highlighted in the exhibition room along with important organizations that encouraged improvements within the city. Examples of these organizations are the Kansas City Fire Department, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the Kansas City Suffrage League, and General Hospital No. 2 which served the African American communities of the city from 1930 to the integration of the city's hospital system in the late 1950s. Important individuals of the time are also highlighted along with artifacts that reflect the experiences of immigrants, marginalized communities, and working-class families.

The Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Gallery

The second floor exhibition galleries map-out Kansas City history. Beginning with the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Gallery, the early history of the surrounding areas in both Kansas and Missouri are covered. An overview of Native American tribes that lived in the area, and their subsequent removal as European settlers displaced them, serves as a foundation for the room. Highlighting the importance of the two rivers that Kansas City is situated near, the exhibit covers the Native Americans and settlers that were drawn to the prosperity of the area. Transportation, relocation, and involvement in the Civil War also serve as highlights within the exhibit, providing patrons with understanding of the early 1800s through the 1870s in the Kansas City area.

Second Floor Landing

The second floor landing features multiple art installations, a stained-glass window designed by architect Henry Hoit, and explanations of museum renovations. Museum staff have worked diligently over the years to preserve the integrity of the original Corinthian Hall. While maintaining the Hall's integrity, the second and third floors have been transformed from past bedrooms into state-of-the-art exhibition halls presenting Kansas City history. The second floor landing introduces patrons to the renovated space while preparing them to enter immersive exhibitions that highlight the many eras that shaped Kansas City.

Main Floor

West Staircase

The west staircase in the Kansas City Museum allows access to the main floor, second floor, and third floor of the building. During renovations, artist Zachary Laman painted three murals, one for each floor. Although Laman is originally from Arkansas and includes inspiration from his home state within his work, he is also heavily inspired by Kansas City and locals in the area.

The Salon

Salons, popular amongst the wealthy in the early 20th century, offered a sense of intellect and refinement within one's home. Unlike the living room, used mostly by the family for relaxation, the salon would have been used for hosting guests and encouraging conversation. Designed in the Louis XVI style, Corinthian Hall's salon was the most extensively embellished room on the first floor. However, due to redecoration that occurred throughout the 1900s, the Salon served as one of the most difficult rooms to restore. Sconces that were original to the room were reinstalled, wall and ceiling ornamentation was restored, and the color of the walls were returned to their original cream color. Many of the original furnishings from the salon were donated to the Museum in 1963, by Sally Long Ellis.

The Library

After several failed ventures, Robert A. Long, and his business partner Victor Bell, began a nationally successful lumber company. The wealth Long accrued with the success of this business allowed him to build his luxurious family home Corinthian Hall in 1910. Within his home, Robert had many retreats for himself, including his library. Designed in the Elizabethan style, and featuring a breathtaking mantel, the windows in the room provided an excellent view of North Terrace Park, designed by George Kessler. The quarter-sawn oak flooring and paneling has been preserved within the room. The mantel was removed from the room after the death of Mr. Long; but, was returned and reintegrated into the library in the 1970s.

The Breakfast Room

Frequently used by Mrs. Long for entertaining guests in a less formal space than the dining room, the breakfast room, as the name suggests, also served as a space for family breakfasts each morning. The room was designed in the Adamesque style, popularized in the 18th century. During renovations, construction crews maintained this style through paint sampling and the refurbishment of the plaster ceiling. The art glass bay window in the back of the room features Greco-Roman imagery, and offers an excellent view of the neighborhood. The large table now positioned in the breakfast room represents the table that would have been situated in the space for meals.

The Dining Room

Although the extravagant salon served as the most formal room in Corinthian Hall, the Dining Room, designed and decorated in the style made popular by Louis XIV, followed close in formality. The dining room required many restorations, and only about one-fourth of the current dining room exhibit is original to the space. The wood paneling on the north wall, the wall sconces, and the chandelier are all original. However, the wainscoting required complete reconstruction. Additionally, many original furnishings were lost to the 1934 auction or removed during the home's time on the market. Aspects that have been reconstructed are painted a different color than the original pieces, allowing patrons a chance to appreciate the differences between original and reconstructed works. Some of the highlights in the space include the wall tapestry and the gilded chandelier, both of which are original pieces from this room.

The Living Room

One of Mrs. Ella Long's favorite spaces in Corinthian Hall, the Living Room was used for family time and for entertaining close guests. As part of their effort to share the history of the original owners of the home on the first floor, the Kansas City Museum has sought to reacquire original furnishings to show visitors how this room would have appeared. Unfortunately, none of the original furniture has survived. The wood flooring and wall sconces are original features of the room. The magnificent Steinway piano is original to Corinthian Hall, but was originally located in the Salon. The west wall features reproductions of the original wallpaper and one of the paintings. The room features a life-size blueprint of the mantel that would have been present in the room when the Long family lived in Corinthian Hall, giving a further sense of the ornamentation.

Main Lobby

Located in the historic Robert A. Long House, constructed between 1909 and 1910 and known at the time as Corinthian Hall, the Kansas City Museum works to preserve and celebrate the history of Kansas City. It places a special emphasis on the city's cultural heritage and the histories of the city's various defining neighborhoods. Museum staff work to collect and preserve artifacts to share stories from Kansas City's diverse history and neighborhoods for public education. The museum also shares the history of the Long Family, in the First Floor galleries with many original artifacts. Corinthian Hall became the city's museum in 1940 and while there have been numerous renovations, many original aspects of the home are still preserved and displayed throughout the space for patrons to enjoy.

Downstairs (Lower Level)

Billiard Room and Entertainment

The Long family enjoyed many different forms of entertainment in their home, including a billiards room with a Brunswick Monarch table. They also had a small private bowling alley that appears in the blueprints of the home. Billiards halls and bowling alleys were popular in the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, although many were limited to members and/or segregated by race. Wealthy families could afford to create their own billiards rooms for entertainment. At the turn of the century, home billiards rooms were usually "male spaces" that were all but completely reserved for male family members and guests. Today, the Kansas City Museum maintains this space for all patrons as both a contributing space to help interpret the history of the home and a place for patrons to enjoy the games that are located throughout the room.

Elixir Soda Fountain

As part of the Kansas City Museum's recent renovation, the Elixir Soda Fountain offers museum patrons the experience of an old-fashioned soda fountain in a sleek, modern space. In the 19th century, soda water provided a way for pharmacists to deliver mixtures of effervescent drugs, including stimulants and painkillers, in a pleasing manner for their customers. Over time, more flavors were introduced and soda fountains became popular on their own and were enjoyed with or without pharmaceuticals, especially after the public became more aware of the negative effects of some of the original stimulants and painkillers that had been used in the early years. Since the first soda fountains were found in drug stores, these stores were the first to serve flavored sodas. As a result, soda fountains helped drug stores rebrand as gathering places, and as more sweeteners and even ice cream were added to the mix, drug stores added stools and tables. The museum plans to use Elixir Soda Fountain for special events and offer ice cream, phosphates, and a variety of other traditional soda fountain items within a space that includes historic fixtures from a Modena, Missouri drug store.

Downstairs at Corinthian Hall: Staff and Technology

While Corinthian Hall served as the home for the Long Family, the Lower Level (Basement) served many different functions, including providing an area for the staff to complete chores and conduct day-to-day business. The home held many technological advancements for the time that assisted the staff in their daily duties. One such feature was an elevator, and when it was installed in 1910, the mansion became the first private home west of the Mississippi River to have a commercial-sized elevator. The elevator demonstrated the immense wealth that the Long family held, and it was also a practical innovation which aided both residents and staff, along with other modern wonders of the age that were hidden away from view on the Lower Level. For example, the basement held the electrical system, a mechanical room for the pipe organ, and a soft water system for laundry.

This Tour is a Multi-zone Tour.

Kansas City Museum

Created by David J. Trowbridge on February 7th 2019, 9:34:00 pm.

Get a QR Code for this tour

Description

Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall is Kansas City's oldest and largest museum of local and regional history. The museum is located in one of Kansas City’s first grand residences, Corinthian Hall, which was completed in 1910 as the home of Kansas City lumber baron and philanthropist Robert A. Long. Long's children gave the home to the Kansas City Museum Association in 1939 and the museum opened in May 1940 with exhibits that share the early development and growth of Kansas City and the region. The museum has more than 100,000 items in its collection, which includes a wide sampling of local history from some of Corinthian Hall’s original furnishings to the Dyer Native American Indian collection. In 1980, Corinthian Hall (the R.A. Long House) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Entries on This Tour

Kansas City Museum

Description

Share